You'll learn essential paddling strokes, practice self-rescue skills before heading onto open water, and finish with unstructured paddle time to build confidence and put your new skills into practice.

With small groups on the water, you'll receive plenty of individualized instruction and feedback throughout the session. No experience is necessary, just bring a willingness to get wet!

What to bring: Swimwear or quick-dry clothing. All paddling equipment is provided.

Special Pricing For UMass Undergraduate Students: $0

*summer undergraduate students must have an active Rec Center membership*

*no shows will be charged $20 on your member account*

All others will be $20

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Stop by the Student Union lobby anytime between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to play games, win free merch, and enter raffles for cool prizes. Whether you're grabbing lunch, getting coffee, or just passing through, connect with UMass IT Student Ambassadors and learn about the latest updates to multifactor authentication (MFA). Level up your digital security while having fun!

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Join us on Tuesdays October 6, 13, 20, and 27, from 5:00–6:30 p.m., for free Halloween and fall-themed crafting sessions.

Guided Craft Projects include:

Oct. 6: Heart Street MapsOct. 13: Watercolor MandalasOct. 20: Zen tangle and Zen tangle PortraitsOct. 27: Shields/Boxes- Family Crests & Internal/ExternalLocation: Room 319; Whitmore Building

Free and open to UMass Faculty and Staff

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We will hear from Alex Knight, a chef and member of the Hassanamisco Nipmuc Band, and Dan Bensonoff, a memebr of the UMass Permaculture Initiative. Alex will be teaching about the kitchen ecosystem - how to be more sustainable in your cooking. Dan will be teaching about local produce and the stories behind them. After their presentations you will get to sample some of the local offeings, provided by Pequoig Farm in Orange!

This event is a joint effort between the UMass Food Science Department, Josephine White Eagle Cultural Center, and the Permaculture Initiative.

We look forward to seeing you there!

RSVP here: Farm To Feast

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The Community, Democracy & Dialogue (CDD) initiative seeks promote critical inquiry and facilitate dialogue about our most pressing geopolitical issues. This year, the CDD will host an event featuring panelists Drs. Manish Sinha (History, UConn), Jonathan Nagler (Politics, NYU), and Ethan Zuckerman (Public Policy, Communication, and Information CICS, UMass) in conversation around two fields of interest that are driving discourse in todays’ sociopolitical sphere: AI and the democratic process. After speaker presentations, Dr. Jane Fountain (Political Science, UMass) will lead a moderated discussion of the challenges and opportunities facing democratic society given the rise of AI and social media.

Manisha Sinha

Manisha Sinha, historian and author of The Counterrevolution of Slavery: Politics and Ideology in Antebellum South Carolina (named one of the ten best books on slavery in Politico and cited in The New York Times 1619 Project), currently serves as the James L. and Shirley A. Draper Chair in American History at the University of Connecticut. Dr. Sinha’s work explores the transnational histories of slavery, abolition, and feminism and the history and legacy of the Civil War and Reconstruction. She taught at UMass Amherst for over twenty years, where she was awarded the Chancellor’s Medal, the highest recognition bestowed on faculty. Her latest book, The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic: Reconstruction, 1860-1920 was awarded the biennial President’s Book Prize from the Society for Historians of the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era in 2026.

Jonathan Nagler

Professor of Politics at NYU and co-author of Who Votes Now? Demographics, Issues, Inequality, and Turnout in the United States, Jonathan Nagler serves as the Director of the Politics Data Center and co-director of the NYU Center for Social Media, AI, and Politics (CSMAP). His current research on examines on the impact of social media on voter behavior and attitudes, and he has been at the forefront of computational social science for many years, pioneering innovative methods for analysis of discrete choice problems.

Ethan Zuckerman

Ethan Zuckerman is an associate professor of public policy, communication, and information, as well as director of the UMass Initiative for Digital Public Infrastructure. The author of Rewire: Digital Cosmopolitans in the Age of Connection and Mistrust: Why Losing Faith in Institutions Provides the Tools to Transform Them, his research focuses on civic media, online community governance, digital public infrastructure, quantitative studies of media attention, technology, and social change. Before coming to UMass, Zuckerman was at MIT, where he served as director of the Center for Civic Media and as associate professor of practice in media arts and sciences at the MIT Media Lab.

Moderated by Jane Fountain

Jane E. Fountain is Director of the School of Public Policy and Distinguished Professor, as well as an Adjunct Distinguished Professor in the College of Information and Computer Sciences and a faculty affiliate in the Department of Political Science at UMass Amherst. Her recent research is focused on artificial intelligence, digitalization, governance and institutional change and on cross-boundary management and governance. Fountain is coeditor of Artificial Intelligence and Power in Government (in press, with Sorin Dan and Niina Mäntylä) and the author of Building the Virtual State: Information Technology and Institutional Change, which was awarded an Outstanding Academic Title by Choice.

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We're getting getting exercise, appreciating our gorgeous campus, and creating community at the same time!

Open to all EMCON faculty, staff, and students.

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Abstract: Over the past year and a half, thousands of federal web pages and datasets have been removed, altered, or made more difficult to access—part of what may fairly be characterized as a sustained assault on cultural, educational, scientific, and memory institutions. These actions, together with legal and policy initiatives that threaten to further restrict access to public records, are creating a new and consequential problem: government information is “going dark.” Meeting these challenges will require sustained engagement across disciplines and institutions, including private efforts to preserve vulnerable data, litigation to preserve and open records, and making progress on emerging AI initiatives that may offer new ways to make government data more accessible. The preservation of public information cannot be taken for granted; it increasingly depends on what researchers, archivists, lawyers, technologists, and an activist public choose to do now.

Bio: Jason R. Baron is a professor of the practice in the College of Information at the University of Maryland, focusing his teaching and research publications on the application of AI to improving records preservation and FOIA access policies in the federal government. During his 33 years in government service, he served as the first appointed director of litigation at the National Archives and Records Administration, and before that as a trial attorney and senior counsel in the Civil Division of the Justice Department. In those capacities, Baron acted as lead DOJ counsel on landmark lawsuits involving the preservation of White House email and played a leading role in improving federal electronic recordkeeping policies. Prior to his current faculty appointment, he served as Of Counsel in the e-discovery and information governance practice at Faegre Drinker LLP. Baron is a recipient of the Justice Tom C. Clark Outstanding Government Lawyer Award given by the Federal Bar Association, and the international Emmett Leahy Award, in recognition of achievements in records and information management. In connection with various recordkeeping controversies, Baron has been featured on multiple occasions on CNN, as well as on MSNBC, NBC News, Good Morning America, and on NPR’s 1A and All Things Considered. He has been quoted in the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, Scientific American, and in dozens of other national and international media outlets. Baron received his B.A. magna cum laude with honors from Wesleyan University, and his J.D. from Boston University School of Law. He is a lifelong Red Sox fan.

This event is co-sponsored by the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences, the School of Behavioral Sciences, the College of Humanities and Fine Arts, and the Commonwealth Honors College.

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About the Speaker

Randy Bass is Vice President for Strategic Education Initiatives and Professor of English at Georgetown University, where he leads the Designing the Future(s) initiative and the Red House incubator for curricular transformation. He has been working at the intersections of university transformation, emerging technologies and the scholarship of teaching and learning for nearly thirty years. He is the author or co-author of numerous books and articles, including "Can We Liberate Liberal Education?" in Redesigning Liberal Education: Innovative Design for a Twenty-First-Century Undergraduate Education, (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2020) and "Architecture of the Unexpected: Beyond the Learning Paradigm," in Recentering Learning: Complexity, Resilience, and Adaptability in Higher Education (Hopkins Press, 2025).  Since 2024, he has also been serving as Senior Advisor to the President at University of North Texas. 

Offered as part of the Mei-Yau Shih Speaker Series.

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If you would like to attend virtually, please RSVP for the webinar here.

In fall 2025, students, postdocs, and faculty at the Northeastern Climate Adaptation Science Center (NE CASC) participated in a project in collaboration with students from Belmont University’s undergraduate art program. The goal of the collaboration was to use visual art to communicate stories about climate adaptation science, conservation, and community resilience. At this event, you’ll hear from three of the scientists who inspired these original art pieces. After the talks, we’ll share a link so that you can view all of the art pieces virtually.

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Come join RecWell for our annual UGLOW event! This year the event will be hosted in the backyard of the Rec Center. We will have Fire Pits, S'mores, Silent Disco, Glow Games and more!

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Flu vaccine offered at all clinics. Covid-19 vaccine offered based on availability.

Get your annual Flu and Covid-19 vaccines at our convenient Drop-In Clinics! No appointment necessary. Bring your UCard and your insurance card (or a photo of the front and back of your card) or submit your insurance information ahead of time on the UMass Patient Portal. Students have no out-of-pocket costs when using Drop-In Clinics!

To submit your insurance information:

1. Log into the UMass Patient Portal

2. Under University Health Services, click "Get Started"

3. In the sidebar menu, click "Insurance" (on mobile, click 3 lines to expand menu)

4. Click "Add New" to enter your insurance information and upload photos of your card

Insurance Coverage for UMass Employees:

To avoid being billed for vaccines you receive at a UHS Drop-In Clinic, you must either have a UHS primary care provider or a PPO insurance plan that UHS accepts. Learn about accepted insurance plans and becoming a UHS patient here. UHS does not accept Medicare. You can receive vaccines covered by insurance at local pharmacies. If you have questions about insurance, contact Patient Services: (413) 577-5192.

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Visit Innermission M-F 10am - 4pm for self care activities like painting, journaling, and more.

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In this interactive, hands-on workshop, you will learn how to use Canvas Pages with graphic design and visual communication strategies to enhance the student experience.

This workshop will address the following questions:

How can smart page design improve clarity and reduce cognitive load?What common design mistakes make content harder to read?How can Canvas features like embedded media, formatting options, and accessibility tools enhance page usability?

Whether you bring an existing resource to adapt or start fresh, you will leave the session with a clear and accessible Canvas Page that meets the needs of your students.

This is the third workshop in the Design for Learning series running this semester.

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DROP-IN HOUR

Do you have questions regarding your housing? Join us for FREE, confidential legal consultation with Attorney Emily Daniell on the following dates:

FALL 2026 DATES (from 1pm - 2pm):

September 17th (Via Zoom)

October 1st (in-person @ OCSC)

October 15th (Via Zoom)

October 29th (in-person@ OCSC)

November 12th (Via Zoom)

December 10th (in-person @ OCSC)

Co-sponsored by Off Campus Student Life and the Student Legal Services Office

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A recording of this lecture will be posted to UMass LARP's YouTube channel after the event.

About the Panelists

Theodore Eisenman, PhD, is an associate professor of landscape architecture and regional planning and the Director of the Master of Regional Planning Program at UMass Amherst. He also serves as the Honors Program Director for the Department of Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning (LARP).

Peter Dunn, PhD, is a lecturer in regional planning at UMass Amherst, where he teaches both undergraduate and graduate students interested in creating better communities. Professor Dunn is the program director and academic advisor for the undergraduate Sustainable Community Development program. He also coordinates the 4+1 MRP and 4+2 MLA accelerated master's programs. In the 2026-2027 academic year, Professor Dunn was selected for the Lilly Fellowship for Teaching Excellence.

Paromita Shome is a PhD student in the Regional Planning program at UMass Amherst. Her research interest aligns with climate change, adaptation planning, and social equity. Before joining the PhD program, she completed her undergraduate and master’s degrees in Urban and Regional Planning at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).

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Superconductivity is perhaps the most spectacular macroscopic quantum phenomenon. A “persistent current” in a ring of superconducting wire will continue to flow forever – a laboratory realization of perpetual motion. A voltage across a junction between two superconductors produces an oscillating current with a frequency that is determined exactly by the voltage and the fundamental constant of quantum mechanics, Planck’s constant. Superconductivity is the quintessential example of an “emergent phenomenon” in physics, in which the collective behavior cannot be understood in terms of the properties of any finite collection of microscopic constituents (i.e. electrons). Notable physicists including Einstein, Heisenberg, and Feynman tried and failed for half a century to achieve the basic understanding of superconductivity that was only achieved in the mid 1950’s and early 1960’s. However, many fundamental issues remain to be resolved, including those related to the more recent discovery of unconventional “high temperature superconductivity” in a variety of synthetic metals and the construction of coherent superconducting “Q-bits” which act as laboratory realizations of Schrodinger’s cat.

The Sternheim Lecture is the only endowed public lecture sponsored by the UMass physics department and is held roughly once a year, supported by the generous gift of Helen and Mort Sternheim, longtime supporters of physics education who founded the UMass STEM Education Institute focusing on K16 education. Previous Sternheim lecturers include Glennys Farrar, Joe Taylor, Sally Dawson, Suzanne Staggs, Subir Sachdev and Elena Long.

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Honorée Fannone Jeffers is the 2021 recipient of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work - Poetry for her collection The Age of Phillis, which was also long listed for the 2020 National Book Award for Poetry. Her first novel, The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois, was published in 2021 and received the 2021 Kirkus Prize for Fiction. It as also longlisted for the 2021 National Book Award for Fiction.

The Kaplan Memorial Lecture was established by the English Department to present major figures in the field of American Studies and sponsor talks on the kind of intellectual topics Kaplan pursued—boundary-crossing enterprises like Jewish, multi-ethnic, feminist, and African American studies. Kaplan’s legacy extends especially to Black studies and Black history as well as studies of the relatedness in American culture of Black and white.

A book signing with the author will follow the event.

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First, drawing on critical social theory, he will give a brief overview of the history of education in Haiti across nearly two centuries of Haitian constitutions, from 1805 to 1987. He will discuss how the world's first Black republic has not yet freed itself from its colonial past, due in part to the language policies shaping teaching and learning.

Building on Freire's account of humanization through dialogue, Bakhtin's notion of dialogism, and Hegel's and Heidegger's conceptions of the self as perpetually in the process of becoming, Jean-Pierre will make a case for why Haitian Creole should be the language of instruction and policymaking in Haiti (e.g., Jean-Pierre, 2016, 2019, 2021).

Second, he will describe the development of a school he founded. The school provides curricular materials and professional development that enable teachers and students to use Haitian Creole for academic purposes and to resist the further reinscription of inequitable colonial identities. The school is funded by RIVE, a nonprofit he founded while at UMass. To date, the school has provided free education to 350 students and professional development to their teachers. The goal of this growing educational facility is to prepare the next generation of Haitian leaders to use Haitian Creole agentively, developing it as a language of the humanities, the sciences, and the law for social, economic, and political advancement.

Third, Jean-Pierre will take questions about his approach to using critical theory to enact school change in practice.

About the speaker

Dr. Marky Jean-Pierre is a professor of French and Haitian Creole studies at the University of The Bahamas. He holds a doctorate in education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst (2010) and a doctorate in French studies from the University of Connecticut (2015). His research explores language, education, and social change in postcolonial societies, especially Haiti. He is a founding member of the Haitian Creole Academy (Akademi Kreyòl Ayisyen), where he heads the Scientific Committee, and he was elected to its 2025–2026 Board of Administration. He is also the founder and director of RIVE, a nonprofit that supports a school in Haiti. He is the author of numerous publications, including Language and Learning in a Post-Colonial Context: A Critical Ethnographic Study in Schools in Haiti (Routledge).

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Students must register to attend. Space is limited.

Please find a flyer here

Please direct questions to emergingleaders@umass.edu

Sponsored by the Donahue Institute and the School of Public Policy

PROGRAM DETAILS

Confirmed elected officials and policy makers include:

Domenic Sarno, Mayor of SpringfieldJoshua Garcia, Mayor of HolyokeJake Oliveira, State SenatorCarols González, State RepresentativeSonia Dinnall, Superintendent of Springfield Public SchoolsGumersindo Gomez, Springfield School CommitteeAyanna Crawford, Springfield School CommitteeTracye Whitfield, President of the Springfield City CouncilZaida Govan, Springfield City CouncilAbigail Arriaga, Chicopee City CouncilLynn Griesemer, Amherst Town CouncilJuan Anderson-Burogs, Legislative Aid for State Representative Pat Duffy

Student-centered sessions will include:

The Journey to Public OfficeLegislation that MattersWhy We Continue to ServeOpen Q&A and Networking

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Registration is encouraged.

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Fridays, 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM through October 30

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After a brief presentation from each certificate, we will open breakout rooms where students can ask questions and connect with the programs.

Hosted by the the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing Advising Office.

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Friday, October 16th, 2026 (3:30-5pm).

Thompson Hall Rm420 at the University of Massachusetts Amherst & on Zoom.

Join us for a screening and discussion of "Disha Swarajyachi" (Towards Self Governance) which explains how participatory governance works in the Indian village of Mendha-Lekha. Some topics the documentary focuses on include: the legal rights and associations between the public and the environment, women’s participation, majority and consensus voting, blending direct and representative democracy, youth engagement, and resistance to empire.

Dr. Milind Bokil, the academic lead for this documentary, will facilitate our discussion and answer questions. Dr. Bokil has written numerous books on participatory democracy and civil society in India. He is visiting the University of Massachusetts Amherst all the way from India as a part of his “De-Tocquevillian” tour of New England’s Town Meetings and welcomes discussion and questions comparing these two participatory deliberative governance institutions.

Any questions about the event can be directed to Sawyer Rogers: sbrogers@umass.edu. If you would like to join via Zoom or would like to receive updates on the event, please fill out this form before the morning of the event.

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Jeffrey W. Holmes, producer

The beloved annual showcase features jazz, wind, orchestral, choral, percussion, and chamber ensembles, plus the Minuteman Marching Band for the entire second half!

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This event is part of our free drop-in crafting series for families. Save the dates and join us for our other Fun Saturday Mornings events this fall. Saturdays, 10am-12pm:

October 3 - Make Your Own Pinecone Critter
Get into the fall spirit while making an adorable woodland creature.October 10 - Make Your Own Mini Football Field
Make a football field with a mini popsicle-stick goal post and get ready for the UMass Homecoming game.October 24 - Halloween Bag Decorating
Decorate your own trick-or-treat bag and head out this Halloween ready to fill it to the brim.

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Getting There: Need a ride? The Amethyst Brook trail is a short walk away from a PVTA bus stop. A member of our staff will ride the bus with you and guide you to the trail.
- Get on Route 30 Bus (to Old Belchertown Rd.) at the UMass ILC at 10:35 a.m.
- Get off the bus at the Northeast St. bus stop (~20 min walk to the trail)
Getting Back: After the hike, return to campus by taking the Route 30 Bus (to North Amherst). Departures from the Northeast St. bus stop at 12:08 PM, 12:38 PM, and 1:08 PM

About the Trail: At Amethyst Brook, we will walk a 1.1 mile beginner-friendly loop. The trail has gentle elevation and takes most people approximately 45-60 minutes to complete at a relaxed pace. It features several wooden footbridges over the brook, benches throughout to pause and rest, and a hidden stone labyrinth.

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Johann Sebastian Bach: Prelude and Fugue in B Major, BWV 892 from The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II

Unsuk Chin: Six Études, Nos. 1–6

Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 31 in A-flat major, Op. 110

Hélène de Montgeroult: Études

Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111

Another October evening, another performance by a celebrated pianist whose list of career honors includes a MacArthur Foundation fellowship. But, you know, who’s counting?

The Fine Arts Center is thrilled once again to join Music at Amherst in presenting a critically acclaimed performer operating at the peak of his artistry. Hailed as one of America’s finest pianists, Jeremy Denk is known for performances of vast imagination, beauty, profundity, and wit. Found frequently on the stage at Carnegie Hall, Denk also has appeared in major halls including the Kölner Philharmonie, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and Boulez Saal in Berlin. In recent years, he has performed with such leading ensembles as the Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, and San Francisco Symphony.

Act quickly to take advantage of this opportunity to experience Denk up close in the comparatively intimate setting of Buckley Recital Hall.

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Paper maps and compasses work when phones fail. This two-hour workshop is split between the classroom and the field, covering foundational navigation skills-and the judgment to use them well-that hold up in any conditions.

You'll learn to read a topographic map, take and follow a bearing, adjust for declination, and calculate your personal pace count over real terrain. The field portion puts each skill into practice sequentially. You'll also cover triangulation for confirming position, essential orienteering vocabulary, and natural navigation cues (sun, stars, tree growth, prevailing wind) for backup awareness, not as a party trick.

Groups stay together throughout. No prior experience needed. This workshop is the prerequisite for Chart a Course, RecWell's team orienteering challenge.

Dress for the outdoors. All equipment provided.

Special Pricing For UMass Undergraduate Students: $0

*summer undergraduate students must have an active Rec Center membership*

*no shows will be charged $20 on your member account*

All others will be $20

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The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides free advising for Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce members at UMass Downtown on the third Monday of each month. Meet with Rob DelMastro, Regional Director of the MA SBDC, and receive confidential one-on-one support tailored to your business.

Hosted in partnership with the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce. Registration is required. Learn more and register for a slot at amherstarea.com/advising/

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DROP-IN HOUR

Do you have immigration related questions? Join us for FREE, confidential legal consultation with Attorney Ben Farrell on the following dates:

FALL 2026 DATES (from 2pm - 3pm):

September 22nd

October 6th

October 20th

Novvember 3rd

November 17th

December 1st

Co-sponsored by Office of Global Affairs and the Student Legal Services Office

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This is an open forum for the entire campus community. Students, faculty, and staff are all encouraged to attend. Faculty are encouraged to bring your classes to this event if held at the same time.

To register for this event (optional) and other Decarbonization Days events taking place on October 20-21, please access our Decarbonization Days Registration form here.

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Speaker: Natasha G. Holmes, Ann S. Bowers Associate Professor of Physics, Cornell University

Abstract:

Generative AI is transforming physics education by reshaping how we teach, learn, and assess student understanding. While concerns about academic integrity and student writing are front and center, genAI also creates unprecedented opportunities for research. For the first time, education researchers can evaluate open-ended student responses at scale, enabling large, multi-institutional studies that capture the richness of student thinking beyond multiple-choice formats. I will present what I think it means to conduct research on physics teaching and learning in the age of genAI. We will consider both opportunities and challenges: integrating genAI into classroom practice and responsibly analyzing student work at scale. Instead of trying to fight it, we'll consider how to work with it—harnessing genAI to advance science education research in ways that are both innovative and responsible.

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Join us on Tuesdays October 6, 13, 20, and 27, from 5:00–6:30 p.m., for free Halloween and fall-themed crafting sessions.

Guided Craft Projects include:

Oct. 6: Heart Street MapsOct. 13: Watercolor MandalasOct. 20: Zen tangle and Zen tangle PortraitsOct. 27: Shields/Boxes- Family Crests & Internal/ExternalLocation: Room 319; Whitmore Building

Free and open to UMass Faculty and Staff

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This is an open forum for students only. RSO's are strongly encouraged to bring their club membership to this event.

To register for this event (optional) and other Decarbonization Days events taking place on October 20-21, please access our Decarbonization Days Registration form here.

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Schedule (Tuesdays, 6pm to 7:30 pm):

9/15-10/13: Project Hail Mary10/20: Sleepy Hollow10/27-11/10: The Outsiders11/17-12/15: Jaws

Special Pitch the Page meeting to determine next semester's books

11/23

Please come expecting:

Spoilers through each week's reading goal.No spoilers past the reading goal or for the screen adaptation.Be open minded to differing opinions.We want to hear from everyone, but don't feel pressured to talk.

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Stop by the Student Union lobby anytime between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to play games, win free merch, and enter raffles for cool prizes. Whether you're grabbing lunch, getting coffee, or just passing through, connect with UMass IT Student Ambassadors and learn about the latest updates to multifactor authentication (MFA). Level up your digital security while having fun!

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This 30-credit program delivers the same academic rigor and quality as our on-campus offerings, with courses taught by award-winning faculty. Build in-demand expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cybersecurity while strengthening your skills in software design, testing, and computational problem-solving.

Complete your degree in as few as two years or at a pace that fits your schedule. Requirements include 30 credits, four core courses, and 12 credits of advanced (600-level) coursework.

Visit here for more information and to register.

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We're getting getting exercise, appreciating our gorgeous campus, and creating community at the same time!

Open to all EMCON faculty, staff, and students.

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Certificates, minors, 4+1 pathways, and interdisciplinary programs across every college give you a way to build sustainability into a degree in almost any subject. This is the single best place to see the full set in one afternoon and talk to people in each of them.

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This is an open forum for the entire campus community. Students, faculty, and staff are all encouraged to attend. Faculty are encouraged to bring your classes to this event if held at the same time.

To register for this event (optional) and other Decarbonization Days events taking place on October 20-21, please access our Decarbonization Days Registration form here.

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Drop in to create colorful window clings with paint and glue! Designs provided or design your own. They will need time to dry so plan to pick them up on Friday 10/23.

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Flu vaccine offered at all clinics. Covid-19 vaccine offered based on availability.

Get your annual Flu and Covid-19 vaccines at our convenient Drop-In Clinics! No appointment necessary. Bring your UCard and your insurance card (or a photo of the front and back of your card) or submit your insurance information ahead of time on the UMass Patient Portal. Students have no out-of-pocket costs when using Drop-In Clinics!

To submit your insurance information:

1. Log into the UMass Patient Portal

2. Under University Health Services, click "Get Started"

3. In the sidebar menu, click "Insurance" (on mobile, click 3 lines to expand menu)

4. Click "Add New" to enter your insurance information and upload photos of your card

Insurance Coverage for UMass Employees:

To avoid being billed for vaccines you receive at a UHS Drop-In Clinic, you must either have a UHS primary care provider or a PPO insurance plan that UHS accepts. Learn about accepted insurance plans and becoming a UHS patient here. UHS does not accept Medicare. You can receive vaccines covered by insurance at local pharmacies. If you have questions about insurance, contact Patient Services: (413) 577-5192.

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Rain date is 10/23.

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Don’t have a group? No problem! Solo registrations are welcome, and you may be grouped with up to nine other participants for your session.

Please wear clothing comfortable for climbing and wearing a harness, tie back long hair, and remove dangly jewelery. Closed-toe shoes required.

Special Pricing For UMass Undergraduate Students: $0

*no shows will be charged $15 on your Rec Center member account*

All others will be $15

For parking or directions to the NEST, please use one of the UMass Lot 49s. The NEST is directly adjacent to Grayson Hall, and there is ample parking on Orchard Hill payable through the ParkMobile app.

Note: We are currently unable to offer refunds for SkyPark cancellations, but can move your booking directly to another date. Please reach out to careylang@umass.edu to reschedule your session.

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In this lecture marking America at 250, Stanford historian Priya Satia will examine alternative forms of republicanism prevalent in the 18th-century world that were eclipsed by colonial conquest. Erasure of these forms from popular memory has fueled myths about the exclusively European origins of the concept of freedom and its necessarily individualistic character. Satia will explore forms of British and American republicanism and their engagement with South Asian, Middle Eastern, and Indigenous American republican ideas.

Bio

Priya Satia is the Raymond A. Spruance Professor of International History and Professor of History at Stanford University. She is the author of three multiple-prize-winning books: Time’s Monster: How History Makes History (Belknap Press/Harvard University Press and Allen Lane/Penguin , 2020); Empire of Guns: The Violent Making of the Industrial Revolution (Duckworth/Penguin, 2018), and Spies in Arabia: The Great War and the Cultural Foundations of Britain’s Covert Empire in the Middle East (Oxford University Press, 2008). Her academic and popular writing has appeared in American Historical Review, Technology and Culture, Financial Times, Slate, and The Nation, among others. She is currently writing a new book, “The Lake of Liberation,” on British colonialism in Punjab.

The 2026-27 Feinberg Series

The 2026–27 Feinberg Series explores the global history of oligarchy, or rule by the rich and the popular movements that have resisted it. It is presented by the UMass Amherst Department of History in partnership with numerous co-sponsors. The Feinberg Family Distinguished Lecture Series is made possible thanks to the generosity of UMass Amherst history department alumnus Kenneth R. Feinberg ’67 and associates. Visit the Feinberg Series website for details.

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The Medical Haunted House is a fun way to bring students, faculty, and anyone interested in the medical field together. Skinner Hall, the nursing building, will be transformed. You’ll walk through different medical-themed scenarios based on situations you may actually come across in healthcare. Along the way, you’ll get a glimpse into the medical world, learn some medical facts, and of course, get a few scares in too!

Whether you’re studying healthcare, thinking about going into the medical field, or just want to come check it out, everyone is welcome!

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Sponsored by the Office of Religious & Spiritual Life.

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*Craft nights are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

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Christian McBride’s 2026 started with a flourish. In February, he picked up his tenth and eleventh Grammy Awards, with the honors coming in a manner that neatly illustrates the scope of McBride’s career as a bassist, bandleader, and composer. There was the Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album award that went to the Christian McBride Big Band’s Without Further Ado, Vol 1. And there was his piece of the Best Jazz Performance award for “Windows (Live)” one of many remarkable tracks on the album Trilogy 3, a release drawn from piano legend Chick Corea’s final trio tour. McBride also shares with the late Corea and drummer Brian Blade a pair of Best Instrumental Jazz Album Grammys for Trilogy and Trilogy 2.

McBride’s career Grammy wins are split between his work as a bandleader/composer and his work as a sideman. And that only makes sense. McBride, who started playing professionally at age seventeen, has spent thirty-seven years moving fluidly between the roles of bandleader and band member. He’s released nineteen albums as a leader, been part of six collaborative albums, and appeared as a sideman on more than 400 releases. And because that somehow hasn’t kept him busy enough, McBride also served as artistic director of the Newport Jazz Festival from 2015 to 2025, hosts NPR’s Jazz Night In America, and works alongside his wife, Melissa Walker, as a jazz educator.

Ursa Major ties many of the threads of McBride’s career together. Formed in 2022, the band places McBride in the company of four rising star musicians. And though firmly grounded in jazz, the band’s music works in elements of R&B, soul, funk, and disco. This is McBride picking up where the late Corea left off, reimagining jazz fusion and in bringing together and mentoring extraordinarily talented, innovative musicians whose futures as players and bandleaders are wide open. Best of all, when this ensemble takes the stage, it plays with a combination of energy and mastery that is as joyful as it is jaw-dropping.

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He is also bringing that tour to campus in a series of eight free concerts showcasing these brilliant compositions and his mastery of his craft.

All concerts are in Bezanson Recital Hall and start at 7:30 PM. All free to attend!

October 22nd: Sonata No. 1 in F minor for Piano, Op. 2, No. 1 (1795), Sonata No. 21 in C major for Piano, Op. 53, "Waldstein" (1803-04), Sonata No. 29 in B-flat major for Piano, Op. 106, "Hammerklavier" (1817-18)

October 29th: Sonata #4, Op. 7 "Grand Sonata", Sonata #8, Op. 13 "Pathetique" and Sonata #11 Op. 22.

November 19th: Sonata #25, Op. 79 "Cuckoo", Sonata #3, Op. 2, No. 3, Sonata #19, Op. 49, No. 1, Sonata #22, Op. 54, Sonata #31, No. 2 "The Tempest"

December 16th: #10 Op. 14 No. 2, #7 Op. 10 No. 3, #13 Op. 27 Quasi una fantasia, #14 Op. 27 No. 2 Moonlight

Spring Concerts (Repertoire to be Announced)

January 22February 26March 6March 22

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Fridays, 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM through October 30

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Don’t have a group? No problem! Solo registrations are welcome, and you may be grouped with up to nine other participants for your session.

Please wear clothing comfortable for climbing and wearing a harness, tie back long hair, and remove dangly jewelery. Closed-toe shoes required.

Special Pricing For UMass Undergraduate Students: $0

*no shows will be charged $15 on your Rec Center member account*

All others will be $15

For parking or directions to the NEST, please use one of the UMass Lot 49s. The NEST is directly adjacent to Grayson Hall, and there is ample parking on Orchard Hill payable through the ParkMobile app.

Note: We are currently unable to offer refunds for SkyPark cancellations, but can move your booking directly to another date. Please reach out to careylang@umass.edu to reschedule your session.

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Register Here: CMASS: The Ultimate Race - Fall 2026 Team Registration

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Featuring Dmitri Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5

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Join Hackachusetts, the Mass AI Coalition’s first statewide hackathon, powered by Kiro. One day. Five cities. Seven campuses.

On Saturday, October 24, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., join fellow students at the Marriott Center, UMass Amherst, 1 Campus Center Way, to turn ideas into working projects around one theme: Building the industries that define Massachusetts.

Choose from four challenge tracks: Healthtech & Biotech, Robotics, Energy, and Education. Connect with teammates and build alongside students across the Commonwealth.

Every participant receives Kiro credits to build with during the event, and students keep their unused credits for the rest of the month.

Bring an idea, find a team, and build something you can share by the end of the day.

Register today!

Big thanks to our campus partners

Center for Data Science and Artifical Intelligence

MassAI at UMass Amherst

UMass Entrepreneurship Club

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This event is part of our free drop-in crafting series for families. Save the dates and join us for our other Fun Saturday Mornings events this fall. Saturdays, 10am-12pm:

October 3 - Make Your Own Pinecone Critter
Get into the fall spirit while making an adorable woodland creature.October 10 - Make Your Own Mini Football Field
Make a football field with a mini popsicle-stick goal post and get ready for the UMass Homecoming game.October 17 - Pumpkin Painting & Pasta Art Making
Pick the perfect mini pumpkin to paint and/or celebrate National Pasta Day with a pasta art craft.

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Tour guides are Timothy M. Rohan, Ph. D., Professor, Department of the History of the Art and Architecture, University of Massachusetts Amherst and Ludmilla Pavlova-Gillham, FAIA, Senior Campus Planner and Architect.

Free and open to the public. Advance registration required. RSVP by email to umassbrut@umass.edu with subject “Southwest Tour 2026”.

Photo: Students sitting on grass west of the Southwest Residential Area, undated. University Photograph Collection (RG 110-176). Special Collections and University Archives, University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries

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Along the way, we’ll explore the natural and human history of the area, learning about local flora and fauna, seasonal changes in the landscape, and the stories that have shaped these woods over time. Whether you’re new to the outdoors or already feel at home on the trail, this hike is designed to be welcoming, relaxed, and community-focused.

Come hike under the full moon with us! Bring layers, closed toed shoes, curiosity, and a sense of adventure!

Dress for the outdoors. All equipment provided.

Special Pricing For UMass Undergraduate Students: $0

*summer undergraduate students must have an active Rec Center membership*

*no shows will be charged $20 on your member account*

All others will be $20

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Join us on Tuesdays October 6, 13, 20, and 27, from 5:00–6:30 p.m., for free Halloween and fall-themed crafting sessions.

Guided Craft Projects include:

Oct. 6: Heart Street MapsOct. 13: Watercolor MandalasOct. 20: Zen tangle and Zen tangle PortraitsOct. 27: Shields/Boxes- Family Crests & Internal/ExternalLocation: Room 319; Whitmore Building

Free and open to UMass Faculty and Staff

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Schedule (Tuesdays, 6pm to 7:30 pm):

9/15-10/13: Project Hail Mary10/20: Sleepy Hollow10/27-11/10: The Outsiders11/17-12/15: Jaws

Special Pitch the Page meeting to determine next semester's books

11/23

Please come expecting:

Spoilers through each week's reading goal.No spoilers past the reading goal or for the screen adaptation.Be open minded to differing opinions.We want to hear from everyone, but don't feel pressured to talk.

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We’ll begin with a guided tour and discussion of LaTocha’s exhibition Buried Heat at the museum, featuring large sculptures and works on paper responding to the land. Together, we’ll read selected key poems by Harjo that connect to the work on view. The next two sessions will meet at UMass Downtown, where we’ll dive deeper into Harjo’s poetry, reflect on LaTocha’s practice, and explore both artists’ powerful connections to land, time, memory, mourning, and renewal.

Register for September 29 UMass University Museum of Contemporary Art

Register for October 27 UMass Downtown

Register for November 24 UMass Downtown

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McGovern will deliver a public lecture titled “The Patriotism of Peace and Democracy,” followed by a question-and-answer session with the audience.

The lecture comes just days before the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, providing an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of democratic participation and the responsibilities of citizens and public officials at an enormously consequential moment in American civic life. McGovern will discuss the erosion of democracy in the United States along with his vision for achieving a more just world at home and abroad.

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We're getting getting exercise, appreciating our gorgeous campus, and creating community at the same time!

Open to all EMCON faculty, staff, and students.

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Classics from the wind band repertoire!

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Wednesday, October 28, 2026 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Monday, November 9, 2026 8:00 PM ET

Attendees will hear from faculty leading SHINE and current engineering and nursing PhD students. Learn how the PhD journey with our national research traineeship program works, how to apply, and ask your questions.

About SHINE

The SHINE program (Strengthening Healthcare Innovation through Nursing and Engineering) is an interdisciplinary National Science Foundation Research Traineeship (NRT) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. This innovative initiative brings together the clinical expertise of nurses and the technical problem-solving of engineers to address some of healthcare’s most pressing challenges, from improving device usability to preventing medical errors.

SHINE is designed to train 28 PhD students (including 13 fully funded trainees) across engineering and nursing disciplines. Trainees engage in hands-on convergence research, clinical immersion, and collaborative mentorship as they develop impactful solutions for healthcare systems.

About the Elaine Marieb Center for Nursing and Engineering

Founded in January 2021, the Elaine Marieb Center for Nursing and Engineering Innovation was formed using seed funding provided by Michael and Theresa Hluchyj and soon expanded thanks to a second major donation from the Elaine Nicpon Marieb Charitable Foundation. The Center provides an incredible opportunity for students, staff, faculty, and corporate partners. The Product Prototyping Laboratory enables students to design and prototype new products allows for product and service testing by frontline clinical end-users.

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Flu vaccine offered at all clinics. Covid-19 vaccine offered based on availability.

Get your annual Flu and Covid-19 vaccines at our convenient Drop-In Clinics! No appointment necessary. Bring your UCard and your insurance card (or a photo of the front and back of your card) or submit your insurance information ahead of time on the UMass Patient Portal. Students have no out-of-pocket costs when using Drop-In Clinics!

To submit your insurance information:

1. Log into the UMass Patient Portal

2. Under University Health Services, click "Get Started"

3. In the sidebar menu, click "Insurance" (on mobile, click 3 lines to expand menu)

4. Click "Add New" to enter your insurance information and upload photos of your card

Insurance Coverage for UMass Employees:

To avoid being billed for vaccines you receive at a UHS Drop-In Clinic, you must either have a UHS primary care provider or a PPO insurance plan that UHS accepts. Learn about accepted insurance plans and becoming a UHS patient here. UHS does not accept Medicare. You can receive vaccines covered by insurance at local pharmacies. If you have questions about insurance, contact Patient Services: (413) 577-5192.

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Stop by the Student Union lobby anytime between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to play games, win free merch, and enter raffles for cool prizes. Whether you're grabbing lunch, getting coffee, or just passing through, connect with UMass IT Student Ambassadors and learn about the latest updates to multifactor authentication (MFA). Level up your digital security while having fun!

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This workshop will address the following questions:

How can smart module design save time, lighten cognitive load, and create a smoother learning experience?What common module mistakes unintentionally confuse or frustrate students?How can Canvas features like locking and prerequisites help guide learners and boost engagement?

You will leave with strategies to structure module layouts that are easy to maintain and keep students focused on learning.

This is the final workshop in the Design for Learning series running this semester.

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DROP-IN HOUR

Do you have questions regarding your housing? Join us for FREE, confidential legal consultation with Attorney Emily Daniell on the following dates:

FALL 2026 DATES (from 1pm - 2pm):

September 17th (Via Zoom)

October 1st (in-person @ OCSC)

October 15th (Via Zoom)

October 29th (in-person@ OCSC)

November 12th (Via Zoom)

December 10th (in-person @ OCSC)

Co-sponsored by Off Campus Student Life and the Student Legal Services Office

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A recording of this lecture will be posted to UMass LARP's YouTube channel after the event.

About the Talk

This lecture is divided into three parts. Part one traces the planning and evolution of New England industrial towns from the time of the creation of Puritan and Colonial Era based communities (1636-1790), through to the building of the Slater Mill villages in Southern New England (1790-1820's, and the rise and fall of the Lowell-Waltham mill system (1823-1923). Part two then shifts to the planning and creation of the of the Gun-Belt towns that clustered along the Connecticut River in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont (1850-1990). At this point virtually all mill communities entered into serious decline. Professor Mullin will concisely describe why this occurred. Finally, Part three shows how planners ever so slowly have been able to successfully plan for the recovery of tens of these place.

About the Speaker

John R. Mullin, Ph.D. is a Professor Emeritus of regional planning and the past director of the Center for Economic Development at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He is also the former UMass Vice Chancellor for community Outreach and Dean of the Graduate School. He is a charter fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Professor Mullin's research and professional interests focus upon the revitalization of industrial communities, port development and downtown planning. A Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Mullin has lectured in eighteen countries. Concerning academic research, his work has appeared in more than one hundred scholarly publications. Professor Mullin, a recipient of the Chancellor's Distinguished Lecture Award, continues to teach a class in the Honor's Program entitled "The Once and Future New England Mill Town."

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About Dianne Smith

Dianne Smith is a Bronx-born multidisciplinary artist of Belizean descent whose artistic career spans decades. Her work has been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions addressing a range of themes and mediums, including her solo exhibition Two Turntables and a Microphone at The Bronx Museum, which celebrated fifty years of hip-hop. She was one of three artists with solo presentations in Visions for Our Future, Echoes of Our Past at the Institute of Contemporary Art at Maine College of Art & Design, and her work has been included in The Way We Remember and the Uptown Triennial at the Wallach Art Gallery, Columbia University.

Smith received the Nancy Graves Foundation Award and a Fulbright from the United States Consulate General in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Her work is included in collections including the National Museum of Women in the Arts, The Bronx Museum, the Brodsky Organization, and the Petrucci Family Foundation Collection of African American Art. She lives and works in Harlem, New York.

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Corporations have played major roles in shaping US immigration laws. Some capitalists, such as weapons makers, surveillance, and private prison companies, profit directly from anti-immigrant policies. Others have a more complex position, needing workers but wanting to limit their rights. Policies toward immigrants go hand in hand with imperial intervention abroad, with roots in centuries of colonization and displacement. Even as capitalists and governments have insisted on a “strong border,” they have selectively ignored national borders when laying claim to foreign resources, labor, and markets. Panelists will illuminate the relationship between national borders, capitalist profits, and workers’ well-being while suggesting pathways for worker resistance.

Panelists

Aviva Chomsky is professor of history and coordinator of Latin American Studies at Salem State University. Her research focuses on labor history, immigration and undocumentedness, Central America, Cuba, and Colombia. Her forthcoming book, “Extractivism on the Periphery: Colombia’s Wild Northeast” examines the history of Indigenous peoples and globalization from one region’s perspective. Other publications include Central America’s Forgotten History: Revolution, Violence, and the Roots of Migration (2021); Undocumented: How Immigration Became Illegal (2014), A History of the Cuban Revolution (2011, 2nd ed. 2015), Linked Labor Histories: New England, Colombia, and the Making of a Global Working Class (2008), They Take Our Jobs! And 20 Other Myths About Immigration (2007), and West Indian Workers and the United Fruit Company in Costa Rica, 1870—1940 (1995). She has been active in immigrant, Latin America, and Palestine solidarity since the 1980s.

Julio Flores is a former leader of the Salvadoran teachers’ union, ANDES 21 de Junio, and of several organizations in the 1970s and 1980s, including the Bloque Popular Revolucionario (Popular Revolutionary Bloc), the Coordinadora Revolucionaria de Masas (Revolutionary Mass Coordinating Council), and the Frente Democrático Revolucionario (Democratic Revolutionary Front). He lived and organized in the US from 1991 to 2015. More recently, he co-founded the Escuela Política para un Nuevo Proyecto (School for a New Political Project) and is currently a political and social organizer in El Salvador.

Cecilia Guerrero is the chair and founder of A Luta Sigue, an organization that identifies working-class leaders and supports them in building organizations, with the overarching mission of instilling a working-class identity through education and class struggle. Through A Luta Sigue, she has supported groups including the Tennessee Drivers Union, Poder Popular (Nashville People Power Committee), Southern Youth Solidarity Network, and the Workers’ Unity League. Guerrero is a third-generation organizer from Northern Mexico, raised in a family of steelworkers. Organizing in the US for over a decade, she supports thousands of working-class people in labor, neighborhood, and immigration struggles.

For more on this event and the 2026-27 Feinberg Series, including details about the more than a dozen university partners, see the Feinberg Series website. Register for streaming information.

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He is also bringing that tour to campus in a series of eight free concerts showcasing these brilliant compositions and his mastery of his craft.

All concerts are in Bezanson Recital Hall and start at 7:30 PM. All free to attend!

October 22nd: Sonata No. 1 in F minor for Piano, Op. 2, No. 1 (1795), Sonata No. 21 in C major for Piano, Op. 53, "Waldstein" (1803-04), Sonata No. 29 in B-flat major for Piano, Op. 106, "Hammerklavier" (1817-18)

October 29th: Sonata #4, Op. 7 "Grand Sonata", Sonata #8, Op. 13 "Pathetique" and Sonata #11 Op. 22.

November 19th: Sonata #25, Op. 79 "Cuckoo", Sonata #3, Op. 2, No. 3, Sonata #19, Op. 49, No. 1, Sonata #22, Op. 54, Sonata #31, No. 2 "The Tempest"

December 16th: #10 Op. 14 No. 2, #7 Op. 10 No. 3, #13 Op. 27 Quasi una fantasia, #14 Op. 27 No. 2 Moonlight

Spring Concerts (Repertoire to be Announced)

January 22February 26March 6March 22

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Fridays, 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM through October 30

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Can you spell J-O-Y? Finn and Sheinkin’s musical follows a motley crew of spelling bee competitors in a delightful story that is by turns sweet, poignant, and laugh-out-loud funny. As they navigate a gauntlet of words, the tweens candidly reveal hilarious and heartfelt stories from their home lives, each hoping to avoid the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life-unaffirming ding of the bell that signals a misspelling. Buy a ticket and brush up on your spelling — intrepid audience members can volunteer for the spelling bee hot seat at every performance!
Recommended for ages 13 and up due to adult humor and situations, and references to sex
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

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Can you spell J-O-Y? Finn and Sheinkin’s musical follows a motley crew of spelling bee competitors in a delightful story that is by turns sweet, poignant, and laugh-out-loud funny. As they navigate a gauntlet of words, the tweens candidly reveal hilarious and heartfelt stories from their home lives, each hoping to avoid the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life-unaffirming ding of the bell that signals a misspelling. Buy a ticket and brush up on your spelling — intrepid audience members can volunteer for the spelling bee hot seat at every performance!
Recommended for ages 13 and up due to adult humor and situations, and references to sex
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

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DROP-IN HOUR

Do you have immigration related questions? Join us for FREE, confidential legal consultation with Attorney Ben Farrell on the following dates:

FALL 2026 DATES (from 2pm - 3pm):

September 22nd

October 6th

October 20th

Novvember 3rd

November 17th

December 1st

Co-sponsored by Office of Global Affairs and the Student Legal Services Office

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This 30-credit program delivers the same academic rigor and quality as our on-campus offerings, with courses taught by award-winning faculty. Build in-demand expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cybersecurity while strengthening your skills in software design, testing, and computational problem-solving.

Complete your degree in as few as two years or at a pace that fits your schedule. Requirements include 30 credits, four core courses, and 12 credits of advanced (600-level) coursework.

Visit here for more information and to register.

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Can you spell J-O-Y? Finn and Sheinkin’s musical follows a motley crew of spelling bee competitors in a delightful story that is by turns sweet, poignant, and laugh-out-loud funny. As they navigate a gauntlet of words, the tweens candidly reveal hilarious and heartfelt stories from their home lives, each hoping to avoid the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life-unaffirming ding of the bell that signals a misspelling. Buy a ticket and brush up on your spelling — intrepid audience members can volunteer for the spelling bee hot seat at every performance!
Recommended for ages 13 and up due to adult humor and situations, and references to sex
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

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We're getting getting exercise, appreciating our gorgeous campus, and creating community at the same time!

Open to all EMCON faculty, staff, and students.

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Sponsored by Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences and Public Interest Technology Initiative at UMass, Talking Tech aims to demystify the technology that drives our world.

See speaker bios and learn more at umass.edu/downtown/news-events.

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Flu vaccine offered at all clinics. Covid-19 vaccine offered based on availability.

Get your annual Flu and Covid-19 vaccines at our convenient Drop-In Clinics! No appointment necessary. Bring your UCard and your insurance card (or a photo of the front and back of your card) or submit your insurance information ahead of time on the UMass Patient Portal. Students have no out-of-pocket costs when using Drop-In Clinics!

To submit your insurance information:

1. Log into the UMass Patient Portal

2. Under University Health Services, click "Get Started"

3. In the sidebar menu, click "Insurance" (on mobile, click 3 lines to expand menu)

4. Click "Add New" to enter your insurance information and upload photos of your card

Insurance Coverage for UMass Employees:

To avoid being billed for vaccines you receive at a UHS Drop-In Clinic, you must either have a UHS primary care provider or a PPO insurance plan that UHS accepts. Learn about accepted insurance plans and becoming a UHS patient here. UHS does not accept Medicare. You can receive vaccines covered by insurance at local pharmacies. If you have questions about insurance, contact Patient Services: (413) 577-5192.

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Bonus: All attendees will receive an application fee waiver for the Online/Hybrid MBA program! When applying, do not submit payment. The waiver will be applied in 3-5 business days.

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Odds are, you don’t need us to tell you how amazing Ruby Ibarra is. Maybe you’ve been with her from the moment she emerged onto the national scene back in 2011. Or you jumped on with her debut record Circa91 (2017, Beatrock Music). Heard her stuff in a video game or a TV commercial somewhere along the way. Caught her set at the Green River Festival in June. Or, like a lot of us, watched her 2025 championship Tiny Desk concert over and over. It only ever takes one experience. You stumble into so much as half a song and you’re hooked.

On the other hand, you might need us to advise you not to sleep on scoring tickets to this show. Yeah, it’s general admission, and where you end up in the house will have more to do with when you arrive than when you buy. But consider these factors: This artist has hit a tipping point; her popularity is growing exponentially. And, again, she’s working these days with fellow Filipino American June Millington. You know Millington as a member of the pioneering all-women rock band Fanny, a group cited as a major influence by acts from the Runaways and the Bangles to Sleater Kinney and … well, Ruby Ibarra. You may or may not be aware that Millington is the co-founder and artistic director of Goshen’s Institute for the Musical Arts. She’s been part of the western Massachusetts community for twenty-five years now. She has friends.

This show is going to melt Bowker Auditorium. And you’re going to want to be there to see it.

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Can you spell J-O-Y? Finn and Sheinkin’s musical follows a motley crew of spelling bee competitors in a delightful story that is by turns sweet, poignant, and laugh-out-loud funny. As they navigate a gauntlet of words, the tweens candidly reveal hilarious and heartfelt stories from their home lives, each hoping to avoid the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life-unaffirming ding of the bell that signals a misspelling. Buy a ticket and brush up on your spelling — intrepid audience members can volunteer for the spelling bee hot seat at every performance!
Recommended for ages 13 and up due to adult humor and situations, and references to sex
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

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Location: Campus Center – Amherst Room

Hosted by the Instructional Excellence (the Center for Teaching and Learning and Instructional Design, Engagement, and Support), the Office of Faculty Development, and the Office of Faculty Diversity.

Throughout the day, we will explore how visible and invisible aspects of identity shape teaching, learning, mentoring, leadership, and belonging at UMass. Through engaging discussions, a thought-provoking panel conversation, and interactive workshops, participants will consider questions such as:

What do we notice, and overlook, in ourselves and others?How do invisible barriers influence participation, engagement, and belonging?What shapes the parts of ourselves that we choose to make visible in professional settings?How can feedback support growth without creating unintended barriers?

Featured Sessions

9:30-10:30am - Opening Session:

The Visible, the Invisible, and the In-Between: A Shared Exploration of Identity
Explore how visible and invisible aspects of identity influence our experiences, relationships, and access to opportunities within the university community.

10:30-11:30am - Panel Discussion:

Between Visibility and Vulnerability: Navigating Identity at Work
Hear colleagues share personal reflections on identity, belonging, feedback, and the tensions that arise as we navigate professional life.

12:30-1:30pm - Hands-On Station Rotation:

Who Counts as Engaged? Challenging Assumptions About Participation and Learning
Examine how traditional expectations of participation may unintentionally create barriers and explore strategies and technology tools for recognizing diverse forms of student engagement and learning.

1:45-2:45pm - Interactive Workshop:

Making Feedback Meaningful: UDL for Individual Mentoring, Advising and Supervision
Learn practical approaches to providing feedback that foster clarity, belonging, agency, and growth while reducing unintended barriers for students.

Who Should Attend?

Faculty and librarians interested in fostering more inclusive and responsive learning and working environments.

Join us for a day of meaningful conversation, practical strategies, and community building as we explore the barriers we do not always see and the opportunities we can create together.

Space is limited, register today to reserve your spot!

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Can you spell J-O-Y? Finn and Sheinkin’s musical follows a motley crew of spelling bee competitors in a delightful story that is by turns sweet, poignant, and laugh-out-loud funny. As they navigate a gauntlet of words, the tweens candidly reveal hilarious and heartfelt stories from their home lives, each hoping to avoid the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life-unaffirming ding of the bell that signals a misspelling. Buy a ticket and brush up on your spelling — intrepid audience members can volunteer for the spelling bee hot seat at every performance!
Recommended for ages 13 and up due to adult humor and situations, and references to sex
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

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Can you spell J-O-Y? Finn and Sheinkin’s musical follows a motley crew of spelling bee competitors in a delightful story that is by turns sweet, poignant, and laugh-out-loud funny. As they navigate a gauntlet of words, the tweens candidly reveal hilarious and heartfelt stories from their home lives, each hoping to avoid the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life-unaffirming ding of the bell that signals a misspelling. Buy a ticket and brush up on your spelling — intrepid audience members can volunteer for the spelling bee hot seat at every performance!
Recommended for ages 13 and up due to adult humor and situations, and references to sex
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

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With her skeletal new friend, Vita dances with ancient ancestors, sings with a sorrowful sorceress, escapes the trickster chaneques, and even meets the famous Catrina Calavera. But can this clever youth gather the missing pieces needed for her family ofrenda before it’s too late?

Family pack: 25% off of up to two adult tickets with the purchase of at least one youth ticket

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As President Trump continues to push for a “purchase” of Greenland and tech titans discuss setting up “model cities” from Argentina to California, the world map seems positioned for change—and the world order seems on the brink of collapse. People may well wonder, “Is this legal? Is there any precedent?” A glimpse at modern history can offer some instructive notes of perspective, analogy, and caution. In particular, the cases of the East India Company and Leopold II’s Congo Free State can shed much-needed light on current events.

Bio

Steven Press is an associate professor of history and an affiliated member of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, the Center for African Studies, and the Stanford Center for Law and History. Press's first book, Rogue Empires: Contracts and Conmen in Europe's Scramble for Africa (Harvard University Press, 2017), received the American Historical Association's Pacific Coast Branch Book Award. His second book, Blood and Diamonds: Germany's Imperial Ambitions in Africa (Harvard University Press, 2021), received the German Studies Association's Barclay Book Prize and was named a CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title. Cornell University Press published his third book, Europe's Little Anarchy: The Rise and Fall of Neutral Moresnet, in 2026.

The 2026-27 Feinberg Series: Escape from Oligarchy

The 2026–27 Feinberg Series explores the global history of oligarchy, or rule by the rich, and the popular movements that have resisted it. It is presented by the UMass Amherst Department of History in partnership with numerous co-sponsors. The Feinberg Family Distinguished Lecture Series is made possible thanks to the generosity of UMass Amherst history department alumnus Kenneth R. Feinberg ’67 and associates. Visit the Feinberg Series website for details.

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Wednesday, October 28, 2026 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Monday, November 9, 2026 8:00 PM ET

Attendees will hear from faculty leading SHINE and current engineering and nursing PhD students. Learn how the PhD journey with our national research traineeship program works, how to apply, and ask your questions.

About SHINE

The SHINE program (Strengthening Healthcare Innovation through Nursing and Engineering) is an interdisciplinary National Science Foundation Research Traineeship (NRT) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. This innovative initiative brings together the clinical expertise of nurses and the technical problem-solving of engineers to address some of healthcare’s most pressing challenges, from improving device usability to preventing medical errors.

SHINE is designed to train 28 PhD students (including 13 fully funded trainees) across engineering and nursing disciplines. Trainees engage in hands-on convergence research, clinical immersion, and collaborative mentorship as they develop impactful solutions for healthcare systems.

About the Elaine Marieb Center for Nursing and Engineering

Founded in January 2021, the Elaine Marieb Center for Nursing and Engineering Innovation was formed using seed funding provided by Michael and Theresa Hluchyj and soon expanded thanks to a second major donation from the Elaine Nicpon Marieb Charitable Foundation. The Center provides an incredible opportunity for students, staff, faculty, and corporate partners. The Product Prototyping Laboratory enables students to design and prototype new products allows for product and service testing by frontline clinical end-users.

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Join us for our fourth annual healthcare summit! Register today >

No cost to attendBreakfast and lunch will be provided by award-winning UMass DiningOpen to allHealthcare Career Fair immediately follows from 1 p.m to 3 p.m.

Join leaders from healthcare, higher education, government, public health, community health centers, long‑term care, and assisted living to address one of the Commonwealth’s most pressing challenges: strengthening the workforce that serves rural and medically underserved communities.

This year’s summit will highlight strategies, partnerships, and practical solutions for building a resilient, community‑based health workforce:

The growing need for community health workers and community‑based health professionalsWorkforce shortages at community health centersRecruitment and retention challenges in rural health settingsStaffing needs in assisted living, skilled nursing, and long‑term care facilitiesStrategies to strengthen care delivery in medically underserved and rural communitiesUniversity, provider, public health, and state collaborations to develop sustainable workforce solutions

Thank you to our lead legislative sponsors!

Jo Comerford, Mass. State Senator for Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester counties. Chairperson, Joint Committee on Higher Education.

Mindy Domb, Mass. State Representative, Third Hampshire District. Chair, Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Western Mass legislative delegation

State Senators

Sen. Jo ComerfordSen. Adam GomezSen. Jake OliveiraSen. John VelisSen. Paul Mark

State Representatives

Representative Shirley ArriagaRepresentative Brian AsheRepresentative John Barrett IIIRepresentative Leigh DavisRepresentative Mindy DombRepresentative Patricia DuffyRepresentative Tricia Farley-BouvierRepresentative Michael J. FinnRepresentative Homar GomezRepresentative Carlos GonzalezRepresentative Angelo PuppoloRepresentative Lindsay SabadosaRepresentative Aaron SaundersRepresentative Todd SmolaRepresentative Susannah WhippsRepresentative Kelly Pease

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Meet with the following employers:

Baystate Healthcare

Cooley Dickinson/MassGeneral

Integritus Healthcare

Caring Health Center

And more!

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Our keynote speaker is Anne Mistivar, DNP-HSIL, MSN, RN, a Local Public Health Nurse Consultant for the Local Public Health Nurse Consultant Program. Please join us!

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Advanced sign-up is required. Copies of each book are available FOR FREE at Amherst Books while supplies last (one book per participant). The Gentzler Translation Center will confirm participation as soon as a club meeting reaches the maximum number of participants. All books are available for purchase at Amherst Books.

Learn more and register

October 6, 6-8pm: We Computers (Yale University Press, 2025); Host: Ilse Meiler, Comparative Literature Program

November 10, 6-8pm: Transparent City (Biblioasis, 2018); Host: Emily Barber, Comparative Literature Program

December 1, 6-8pm: Amanat: Women's Writing from Kazakhstan (Gaudy Boy, 2022); Host: Assemay Almazbekkyzy, English Department

February 9, 2027, 6-8pm: Last Words from Montmartre (NYRB Classics, 2014); Host: Ruby Wang, English Department

March 2, 2027, 6-8pm: Happening (Seven Stories Press, 2019); Host: Clara Mundy, English Department

April 6, 2027, 6-8pm: When We Cease to Understand the World (NYRB, 2021); Host: Daniel Amaral, English Department

May 4, 2027, 6-8pm: Via Ápia (FSG Originals, 2025); Host: Dr. Grace Holleran, Spanish and Portuguese Studies Program

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Advanced sign-up is required. Copies of each book are available FOR FREE at Amherst Books while supplies last (one book per participant). The Gentzler Translation Center will confirm participation as soon as a club meeting reaches the maximum number of participants. All books are available for purchase at Amherst Books.

Learn more and register

October 6, 6-8pm: We Computers (Yale University Press, 2025); Host: Ilse Meiler, Comparative Literature Program November 10, 6-8pm: Transparent City (Biblioasis, 2018); Host: Emily Barber, Comparative Literature Program December 1, 6-8pm: Amanat: Women's Writing from Kazakhstan (Gaudy Boy, 2022); Host: Assemay Almazbekkyzy, English Department February 9, 2027, 6-8pm: Last Words from Montmartre (NYRB Classics, 2014); Host: Ruby Wang, English Department March 2, 2027, 6-8pm: Happening (Seven Stories Press, 2019); Host: Clara Mundy, English Department April 6, 2027, 6-8pm: When We Cease to Understand the World (NYRB, 2021); Host: Daniel Amaral, English Department May 4, 2027, 6-8pm: Via Ápia (FSG Originals, 2025); Host: Dr. Grace Holleran, Spanish and Portuguese Studies Program

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And in the years since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Krut has grown into something much more than a musical visionary. At home, Krut regularly travels to the front lines to perform for troops fighting to preserve Ukraine’s independence. On stages across the world, she serves as a cultural representative of her homeland, reminding audiences of the resilience of the Ukrainian people and rallying support for the country. In all cases, she serves as a reminder that music, with its capacity to inspire the imagination and elevate the spirit, can be a form of resistance all its own.

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We're getting getting exercise, appreciating our gorgeous campus, and creating community at the same time!

Open to all EMCON faculty, staff, and students.

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Flu vaccine offered at all clinics. Covid-19 vaccine offered based on availability.

Get your annual Flu and Covid-19 vaccines at our convenient Drop-In Clinics! No appointment necessary. Bring your UCard and your insurance card (or a photo of the front and back of your card) or submit your insurance information ahead of time on the UMass Patient Portal. Students have no out-of-pocket costs when using Drop-In Clinics!

To submit your insurance information:

1. Log into the UMass Patient Portal

2. Under University Health Services, click "Get Started"

3. In the sidebar menu, click "Insurance" (on mobile, click 3 lines to expand menu)

4. Click "Add New" to enter your insurance information and upload photos of your card

Insurance Coverage for UMass Employees:

To avoid being billed for vaccines you receive at a UHS Drop-In Clinic, you must either have a UHS primary care provider or a PPO insurance plan that UHS accepts. Learn about accepted insurance plans and becoming a UHS patient here. UHS does not accept Medicare. You can receive vaccines covered by insurance at local pharmacies. If you have questions about insurance, contact Patient Services: (413) 577-5192.

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DROP-IN HOUR

Do you have questions regarding your housing? Join us for FREE, confidential legal consultation with Attorney Emily Daniell on the following dates:

FALL 2026 DATES (from 1pm - 2pm):

September 17th (Via Zoom)

October 1st (in-person @ OCSC)

October 15th (Via Zoom)

October 29th (in-person@ OCSC)

November 12th (Via Zoom)

December 10th (in-person @ OCSC)

Co-sponsored by Off Campus Student Life and the Student Legal Services Office

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This fall's speaker will be Bridgette Davis, assistant professor of public policy. Professor Davis will share her path from a first-gen, rural, queer college kid majoring in English & Journalism to becoming an Assistant Professor of Public Policy. Davis will also support and engage you in considering how you might "follow your nose" toward a meaningful and rewarding career that is shaped by your questions, capacities, and the changing circumstances of those in the world around you.

Plus, all attendees can enter into a raffle for a chance to win a Commonwealth Honors College-branded Stanley tumbler or a CHC L.L. Bean tote bag!

Come hungry for both pizza and thought-provoking conversation!

Pizza & Prof Night is made possible by generous donations from parents, friends, and alumni of Commonwealth Honors College.

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*Snacks available while supplies last.

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Registration is encouraged.

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Paper maps and compasses work when phones fail. This two-hour workshop is split between the classroom and the field, covering foundational navigation skills-and the judgment to use them well-that hold up in any conditions.

You'll learn to read a topographic map, take and follow a bearing, adjust for declination, and calculate your personal pace count over real terrain. The field portion puts each skill into practice sequentially. You'll also cover triangulation for confirming position, essential orienteering vocabulary, and natural navigation cues (sun, stars, tree growth, prevailing wind) for backup awareness, not as a party trick.

Groups stay together throughout. No prior experience needed. This workshop is the prerequisite for Chart a Course, RecWell's team orienteering challenge.

Dress for the outdoors. All equipment provided.

Special Pricing For UMass Undergraduate Students: $0

*summer undergraduate students must have an active Rec Center membership*

*no shows will be charged $20 on your member account*

All others will be $20

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The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides free advising for Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce members at UMass Downtown on the third Monday of each month. Meet with Rob DelMastro, Regional Director of the MA SBDC, and receive confidential one-on-one support tailored to your business.

Hosted in partnership with the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce. Registration is required. Learn more and register for a slot at amherstarea.com/advising/

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DROP-IN HOUR

Do you have immigration related questions? Join us for FREE, confidential legal consultation with Attorney Ben Farrell on the following dates:

FALL 2026 DATES (from 2pm - 3pm):

September 22nd

October 6th

October 20th

Novvember 3rd

November 17th

December 1st

Co-sponsored by Office of Global Affairs and the Student Legal Services Office

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Schedule (Tuesdays, 6pm to 7:30 pm):

9/15-10/13: Project Hail Mary10/20: Sleepy Hollow10/27-11/10: The Outsiders11/17-12/15: Jaws

Special Pitch the Page meeting to determine next semester's books

11/23

Please come expecting:

Spoilers through each week's reading goal.No spoilers past the reading goal or for the screen adaptation.Be open minded to differing opinions.We want to hear from everyone, but don't feel pressured to talk.

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We're getting getting exercise, appreciating our gorgeous campus, and creating community at the same time!

Open to all EMCON faculty, staff, and students.

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In this Illuminated Lecture, a form that weaves theater and music into an academic lecture, UMass Professor Harley Erdman, with the support of five student actors, shares his research on a play from 1613 that landed its playwright, Felipe Godínez, in jail for heresy. What made the play so dangerous to the Inquisition? Erdman delves into the playwright’s crypto-Jewish background and shows how some extraordinary choices in the play might have held a hidden meaning for audience members who were of Jewish heritage but forbidden from practicing their religion or expressing their culture in public. Join us for an entertaining and memorable take on an academic lecture, on a fascinating subject.

A co-production of UMass Theater and theatre dybbuk.

This event is made possible in part by Comparative Literature, the Department of Judaic and Near Eastern Studies, and Spanish & Portuguese Studies.

about theatre dybbuk
In an era of short-form videos and social media, immediate response is often encouraged over mindful engagement. theatre dybbuk seeks to be a counter-cultural force by fostering a thoughtful relationship with the complexities present in our world. Through its original productions, Illuminated Lectures, and performance events, theatre dybbuk asks people to consider the various forces at play at any given moment in history and the ways in which art and other examples of cultural production can be vessels for the beliefs, concerns, and prejudices of the times in which they are created.

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This hybrid event invites the public to join in person or online to hear presentations about their proposed artworks and vote for your favorite. The winning piece will be purchased by the museum as part of its ongoing initiative to include more art by women artists and artists of color.

The event is in person and also livestreamed.

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This event takes place during the fall semester.

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There is a prize pool of $10,000 at the UMass level, with the potential to move on and win $1M in the global competition.

This competition takes place during the fall semester.

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Flu vaccine offered at all clinics. Covid-19 vaccine offered based on availability.

Get your annual Flu and Covid-19 vaccines at our convenient Drop-In Clinics! No appointment necessary. Bring your UCard and your insurance card (or a photo of the front and back of your card) or submit your insurance information ahead of time on the UMass Patient Portal. Students have no out-of-pocket costs when using Drop-In Clinics!

To submit your insurance information:

1. Log into the UMass Patient Portal

2. Under University Health Services, click "Get Started"

3. In the sidebar menu, click "Insurance" (on mobile, click 3 lines to expand menu)

4. Click "Add New" to enter your insurance information and upload photos of your card

Insurance Coverage for UMass Employees:

To avoid being billed for vaccines you receive at a UHS Drop-In Clinic, you must either have a UHS primary care provider or a PPO insurance plan that UHS accepts. Learn about accepted insurance plans and becoming a UHS patient here. UHS does not accept Medicare. You can receive vaccines covered by insurance at local pharmacies. If you have questions about insurance, contact Patient Services: (413) 577-5192.

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Please RSVP here so we know you're coming!

Co-sponsored by the Office of Religious & Spiritual Life and the Office of Global Affairs.

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*Craft nights are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

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BalletX’s planned repertoire for this performance includes:

Macaroni, choreographed by Loughlan Prior, 2024

In the late eighteenth century, to call someone a “macaroni” was to connect them to an effeminate character, ripe for ridicule. In this work, BalletX shines a light on a little known part of queer history, combining layers of camp humor with poignant storytelling and reclaimed pride.

Scales on the Wings of a Butterfly, choreographed by Noelle Kayser, 2025

Drawing from microscopic photography and videography, this work meditates on the beauty and complexity that exist beyond the limits of human perception, celebrating the intricate richness of life at its smallest scales.

Big Wig, choreographed by Marguerite Donlon, 2024

Donlon revisits her childhood in Ireland, where the lively footwork of Irish dance met the stillness of a restricted upper body, an effect accentuated by the bold, curly wigs of the 1980s. The result is a colorful, whimsical celebration of tradition, transformation, and the joy of imaginative play.

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He is also bringing that tour to campus in a series of eight free concerts showcasing these brilliant compositions and his mastery of his craft.

All concerts are in Bezanson Recital Hall and start at 7:30 PM. All free to attend!

October 22nd: Sonata No. 1 in F minor for Piano, Op. 2, No. 1 (1795), Sonata No. 21 in C major for Piano, Op. 53, "Waldstein" (1803-04), Sonata No. 29 in B-flat major for Piano, Op. 106, "Hammerklavier" (1817-18)

October 29th: Sonata #4, Op. 7 "Grand Sonata", Sonata #8, Op. 13 "Pathetique" and Sonata #11 Op. 22.

November 19th: Sonata #25, Op. 79 "Cuckoo", Sonata #3, Op. 2, No. 3, Sonata #19, Op. 49, No. 1, Sonata #22, Op. 54, Sonata #31, No. 2 "The Tempest"

December 16th: #10 Op. 14 No. 2, #7 Op. 10 No. 3, #13 Op. 27 Quasi una fantasia, #14 Op. 27 No. 2 Moonlight

Spring Concerts (Repertoire to be Announced)

January 22February 26March 6March 22

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We’ll begin with a guided tour and discussion of LaTocha’s exhibition Buried Heat at the museum, featuring large sculptures and works on paper responding to the land. Together, we’ll read selected key poems by Harjo that connect to the work on view. The next two sessions will meet at UMass Downtown, where we’ll dive deeper into Harjo’s poetry, reflect on LaTocha’s practice, and explore both artists’ powerful connections to land, time, memory, mourning, and renewal.

Register for September 29 UMass University Museum of Contemporary Art

Register for October 27 UMass Downtown

Register for November 24 UMass Downtown

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Along the way, we’ll explore the natural and human history of the area, learning about local flora and fauna, seasonal changes in the landscape, and the stories that have shaped these woods over time. Whether you’re new to the outdoors or already feel at home on the trail, this hike is designed to be welcoming, relaxed, and community-focused.

Come hike under the full moon with us! Bring layers, closed toed shoes, curiosity, and a sense of adventure!

Dress for the outdoors. All equipment provided.

Special Pricing For UMass Undergraduate Students: $0

*summer undergraduate students must have an active Rec Center membership*

*no shows will be charged $20 on your member account*

All others will be $20

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We're getting getting exercise, appreciating our gorgeous campus, and creating community at the same time!

Open to all EMCON faculty, staff, and students.

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We’ll walk you through the application process—from requirements to key materials like your statement of purpose and letters of recommendation—so you know exactly what to expect.

Leave with a clear understanding of how to apply and what you need to do next. Register now to save your spot.

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DROP-IN HOUR

Do you have immigration related questions? Join us for FREE, confidential legal consultation with Attorney Ben Farrell on the following dates:

FALL 2026 DATES (from 2pm - 3pm):

September 22nd

October 6th

October 20th

Novvember 3rd

November 17th

December 1st

Co-sponsored by Office of Global Affairs and the Student Legal Services Office

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Advanced sign-up is required. Copies of each book are available FOR FREE at Amherst Books while supplies last (one book per participant). The Gentzler Translation Center will confirm participation as soon as a club meeting reaches the maximum number of participants. All books are available for purchase at Amherst Books.

Learn more and register

October 6, 6-8pm: We Computers (Yale University Press, 2025); Host: Ilse Meiler, Comparative Literature Program November 10, 6-8pm: Transparent City (Biblioasis, 2018); Host: Emily Barber, Comparative Literature Program December 1, 6-8pm: Amanat: Women's Writing from Kazakhstan (Gaudy Boy, 2022); Host: Assemay Almazbekkyzy, English Department February 9, 2027, 6-8pm: Last Words from Montmartre (NYRB Classics, 2014); Host: Ruby Wang, English Department March 2, 2027, 6-8pm: Happening (Seven Stories Press, 2019); Host: Clara Mundy, English Department April 6, 2027, 6-8pm: When We Cease to Understand the World (NYRB, 2021); Host: Daniel Amaral, English Department May 4, 2027, 6-8pm: Via Ápia (FSG Originals, 2025); Host: Dr. Grace Holleran, Spanish and Portuguese Studies Program

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Advanced sign-up is required. Copies of each book are available FOR FREE at Amherst Books while supplies last (one book per participant). The Gentzler Translation Center will confirm participation as soon as a club meeting reaches the maximum number of participants. All books are available for purchase at Amherst Books.

Learn more and register

October 6, 6-8pm: We Computers (Yale University Press, 2025); Host: Ilse Meiler, Comparative Literature Program

November 10, 6-8pm: Transparent City (Biblioasis, 2018); Host: Emily Barber, Comparative Literature Program

December 1, 6-8pm: Amanat: Women's Writing from Kazakhstan (Gaudy Boy, 2022); Host: Assemay Almazbekkyzy, English Department

February 9, 2027, 6-8pm: Last Words from Montmartre (NYRB Classics, 2014); Host: Ruby Wang, English Department

March 2, 2027, 6-8pm: Happening (Seven Stories Press, 2019); Host: Clara Mundy, English Department

April 6, 2027, 6-8pm: When We Cease to Understand the World (NYRB, 2021); Host: Daniel Amaral, English Department

May 4, 2027, 6-8pm: Via Ápia (FSG Originals, 2025); Host: Dr. Grace Holleran, Spanish and Portuguese Studies Program

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We're getting getting exercise, appreciating our gorgeous campus, and creating community at the same time!

Open to all EMCON faculty, staff, and students.

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Students across the SES network share the work they have been building all semester. Come see what solutions they are already putting into practice.

Open to all. Student leaders may apply to present.

Sponsored by UMass School of Earth & Sustainability (SES).

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Sponsored by Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences and Public Interest Technology Initiative at UMass, Talking Tech aims to demystify the technology that drives our world.

See speaker bios and learn more at umass.edu/downtown/news-events.

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Who has value and who doesn’t? In the face of an economic system that considers most of the world’s population disposable, how have some social movements challenged capitalist definitions of value? This panel explores the feminist and anticapitalist Wages for Housework movement of the 1970s. Questions about gender, labor, interdependence, social reproduction, and care work—especially when considered in a global context—challenge key premises of capitalist oligarchy. What can we learn from the history of these social movements? How can they help us confront oligarchy in the present to build a future where all people have value, not only the few?

Panelists

Elisabeth Armstrong is the Sydenham Clark Parsons Professor of Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies at Smith College. She is the author of two books about the Left women's movement in India and across Asia; Gender and Neoliberalism: The All India Democratic Women's Association and its Strategies of Resistance and Bury the Corpse of Colonialism: The Revolutionary Feminist Conference of 1949. Her current project is on anticolonialism and propaganda in the internationalist youth and students movement, the World Federation of Democratic Youth.

Emily Callaci is a feminist historian, writer, and professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her recent book is called Wages for Housework: The Feminist Fight Against Unpaid Labor.

The Feinberg Series: Escape from Oligarchy

For more on this event and the 2026-27 Feinberg Series, including details about the more than a dozen university partners, see the Feinberg Series website.

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Bonus: All attendees will receive an application fee waiver for the Online/Hybrid MBA program! When applying, do not submit payment. The waiver will be applied in 3-5 business days.

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*Please keep performances appropriate for general audiences.

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See the Five College Dance Repertory Project webpage for more information on Garth Fagan and his "From Before."

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Mazzotta’s 2020 album, Amoreamaro, is both a gorgeous collection of open, emotional performances and a fascinating document of a musician and composer exploring the edges of a tradition awash in international influence. Mazzotta’s music on that effort ventures out from Salento (the heel of Italy’s boot) finding influences from across the Adriatic, Ionian, and Mediterranean, and shaping a sound at once fundamentally Pugliese and intriguingly international.

On her most recent release, 2024’s Onde, Mazzotta tears up whatever was left of her initial script to deliver a profoundly brilliant work in which Salentino tradition forms the foundation of a sound that not only pulls influence from southern Europe and northern Africa but layers in fuzzy, gritty post-rock experimentation. Mazzotta, along with percussionist Cristiano Della Monica and guitarist Ernesto Nobili, set out to create a collection of songs that move and vary like the sea (onde translates to waves). And they accomplished exactly that, capturing the calm, the fury, the raw power, and the infinite changeability of tides in a collection of traditional and original songs that is impossible to set aside. Entrancing, captivating, enveloping, Onde pulls the listener in and works its will in a manner that reflects Mazzotta’s live performances. With her commanding voice and dynamic stage presence, Mazzotta makes every concert an immersive experience. Join us to see, hear, and feel it for yourself.

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See the Five College Dance Repertory Project webpage for more information on Garth Fagan and his "From Before."

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See the Five College Dance Repertory Project webpage for more information on Garth Fagan and his "From Before."

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You'll learn essential paddling strokes, practice self-rescue skills before heading onto open water, and finish with unstructured paddle time to build confidence and put your new skills into practice.

With small groups on the water, you'll receive plenty of individualized instruction and feedback throughout the session. No experience is necessary, just bring a willingness to get wet!

What to bring: Swimwear or quick-dry clothing. All paddling equipment is provided.

Special Pricing For UMass Undergraduate Students: $0

*summer undergraduate students must have an active Rec Center membership*

*no shows will be charged $20 on your member account*

All others will be $20

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Tuesdays, 4 PM to 5 PM. Room W-31D

Everyone is welcome!

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We're getting getting exercise, appreciating our gorgeous campus, and creating community at the same time!

Open to all EMCON faculty, staff, and students.

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DROP-IN HOUR

Do you have questions regarding your housing? Join us for FREE, confidential legal consultation with Attorney Emily Daniell on the following dates:

FALL 2026 DATES (from 1pm - 2pm):

September 17th (Via Zoom)

October 1st (in-person @ OCSC)

October 15th (Via Zoom)

October 29th (in-person@ OCSC)

November 12th (Via Zoom)

December 10th (in-person @ OCSC)

Co-sponsored by Off Campus Student Life and the Student Legal Services Office

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*Craft nights are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

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We’ll also have fun activities available, including coloring pages, a self-care station, snacks, and a raffle for a self-care goodie bag to help you feel your best!

This event is free and open to all. Don’t forget to bring your own mug to personalize your drink experience and help reduce waste!

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Schedule (Tuesdays, 6pm to 7:30 pm):

9/15-10/13: Project Hail Mary10/20: Sleepy Hollow10/27-11/10: The Outsiders11/17-12/15: Jaws

Special Pitch the Page meeting to determine next semester's books

11/23

Please come expecting:

Spoilers through each week's reading goal.No spoilers past the reading goal or for the screen adaptation.Be open minded to differing opinions.We want to hear from everyone, but don't feel pressured to talk.

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We're getting getting exercise, appreciating our gorgeous campus, and creating community at the same time!

Open to all EMCON faculty, staff, and students.

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Wednesdays from 1:30 PM to 3 PM from September 9 through December 16

Call 413-545-0883 & press 2 to schedule an intake for the drop-in support group.

Free * Confidential * In Person

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He is also bringing that tour to campus in a series of eight free concerts showcasing these brilliant compositions and his mastery of his craft.

All concerts are in Bezanson Recital Hall and start at 7:30 PM. All free to attend!

October 22nd: Sonata No. 1 in F minor for Piano, Op. 2, No. 1 (1795), Sonata No. 21 in C major for Piano, Op. 53, "Waldstein" (1803-04), Sonata No. 29 in B-flat major for Piano, Op. 106, "Hammerklavier" (1817-18)

October 29th: Sonata #4, Op. 7 "Grand Sonata", Sonata #8, Op. 13 "Pathetique" and Sonata #11 Op. 22.

November 19th: Sonata #25, Op. 79 "Cuckoo", Sonata #3, Op. 2, No. 3, Sonata #19, Op. 49, No. 1, Sonata #22, Op. 54, Sonata #31, No. 2 "The Tempest"

December 16th: #10 Op. 14 No. 2, #7 Op. 10 No. 3, #13 Op. 27 Quasi una fantasia, #14 Op. 27 No. 2 Moonlight

Spring Concerts (Repertoire to be Announced)

January 22February 26March 6March 22

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Sunrise gathering 7:00 a.m.Sunset gathering 3:30 p.m.

The UMass Amherst Sunwheel is located south of McGuirk Alumni Stadium, just off Rocky Hill Road (Amity Street) about one-quarter mile south of University Drive. Visitors to the Sunwheel should be prepared for freezing temperatures and wet footing. Rain or blizzard conditions cancel the events. Donations are welcome to help with the cost of additional site work and future events.

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The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides free advising for Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce members at UMass Downtown on the third Monday of each month. Meet with Rob DelMastro, Regional Director of the MA SBDC, and receive confidential one-on-one support tailored to your business.

Hosted in partnership with the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce. Registration is required. Learn more and register for a slot at amherstarea.com/advising/

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Sunrise gathering 7:00 a.m.Sunset gathering 3:30 p.m.

The UMass Amherst Sunwheel is located south of McGuirk Alumni Stadium, just off Rocky Hill Road (Amity Street) about one-quarter mile south of University Drive. Visitors to the Sunwheel should be prepared for freezing temperatures and wet footing. Rain or blizzard conditions cancel the events. Donations are welcome to help with the cost of additional site work and future events.

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He is also bringing that tour to campus in a series of eight free concerts showcasing these brilliant compositions and his mastery of his craft.

All concerts are in Bezanson Recital Hall and start at 7:30 PM. All free to attend!

October 22nd: Sonata No. 1 in F minor for Piano, Op. 2, No. 1 (1795), Sonata No. 21 in C major for Piano, Op. 53, "Waldstein" (1803-04), Sonata No. 29 in B-flat major for Piano, Op. 106, "Hammerklavier" (1817-18)

October 29th: Sonata #4, Op. 7 "Grand Sonata", Sonata #8, Op. 13 "Pathetique" and Sonata #11 Op. 22.

November 19th: Sonata #25, Op. 79 "Cuckoo", Sonata #3, Op. 2, No. 3, Sonata #19, Op. 49, No. 1, Sonata #22, Op. 54, Sonata #31, No. 2 "The Tempest"

December 16th: #10 Op. 14 No. 2, #7 Op. 10 No. 3, #13 Op. 27 Quasi una fantasia, #14 Op. 27 No. 2 Moonlight

Spring Concerts (Repertoire to be Announced)

January 22February 26March 6March 22

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Advanced sign-up is required. Copies of each book are available FOR FREE at Amherst Books while supplies last (one book per participant). The Gentzler Translation Center will confirm participation as soon as a club meeting reaches the maximum number of participants. All books are available for purchase at Amherst Books.

Learn more and register

October 6, 6-8pm: We Computers (Yale University Press, 2025); Host: Ilse Meiler, Comparative Literature Program

November 10, 6-8pm: Transparent City (Biblioasis, 2018); Host: Emily Barber, Comparative Literature Program

December 1, 6-8pm: Amanat: Women's Writing from Kazakhstan (Gaudy Boy, 2022); Host: Assemay Almazbekkyzy, English Department

February 9, 2027, 6-8pm: Last Words from Montmartre (NYRB Classics, 2014); Host: Ruby Wang, English Department

March 2, 2027, 6-8pm: Happening (Seven Stories Press, 2019); Host: Clara Mundy, English Department

April 6, 2027, 6-8pm: When We Cease to Understand the World (NYRB, 2021); Host: Daniel Amaral, English Department

May 4, 2027, 6-8pm: Via Ápia (FSG Originals, 2025); Host: Dr. Grace Holleran, Spanish and Portuguese Studies Program

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Our spring programming opens with a literal bang! And a spectacle! Both courtesy of the remarkable Yamato, an ensemble that has been a leading force in Japanese taiko drumming for more than three decades. From their home base in Asuka-mura, Nara Prefecture, Yamato have toured the world, bringing their high-energy, athletic, graceful performance style to audiences in fifty-four countries through more than 4,700 engagements.

Yamato’s performances incorporate more than forty taiko drums, ranging from the massive, stage dominating odaiko, an instrument nearly six feet in diameter and weighing more than 1,100 pounds, down to the hand-held shime-daiko. Members of the group undergo rigorous training and conditioning that enable them to meet the demands of a modern artform rooted in centuries-old tradition and characterized by fluid movement from relative calm through explosive flourish. The ensemble brings style, discipline, energy, and humor that will keep every member of your family engaged from start to finish.

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*Craft nights are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

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*Multifaith space will be available for prayer, meditation, or reflection for participants who need space for fast-breaking or quiet space.

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*Multifaith space will be available for prayer, meditation, or reflection for participants who need space for fast-breaking or quiet space.

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*Craft nights are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

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Mary Prescott is a Thai American interdisciplinary artist, composer, and pianist who explores identity and social conditions through experiential performance. Prescott’s 2026 work, Ancestral Table, examined the relationships between ecology, migration, cultural inheritance, and maternal legacy through performance paired with a shared meal prepared with family recipes that were passed down from Prescott’s mother. In 2024’s Sunder: Studies in Grief and Ease, Prescott intertwined film, movement, text, sound, and installation to guide audiences through a deep personal meditation on grief.

The Washington Post has described Prescott’s work as “a bright light cast forward,” calling it “uncompromising” and “masterfully envisioned.”

During a residency with the Fine Arts Center, Prescott will develop a new work that she believes will likely take the form of an evening-length interdisciplinary performance involving music, movement, text, video, and installation. Prescott’s new piece will examine the ways in which environments shape culture, ritual, and belief systems, and imagine how our contemporary environments and technologies may influence societies and beliefs in the future. We hope you’ll join us as part of the first audience anywhere to encounter this exciting new creation by a visionary artist.

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We wrap up our two-part look at the best in dance from the City of Brotherly Love with Philadanco!, a company celebrated for its innovation, creativity, and preservation of predominantly Black traditions in dance. Since its founding in 1970, Philadanco! has built a legacy of breaking barriers and building bridges across cultural divides. The company is known for its artistic integrity, superbly trained dancers, and electrifying performances, as well as its commitment to empowering youth with essential leadership skills that support success on and off the stage.

Philadanco! will perform a brand new work by Rennie Harris that celebrates the shared roots of company and choreographer. Harris’s new work is part of the program For the Love of Philly, which was developed during a summer residency at New York’s Joyce Theater in preparation for a formal premiere in December 2026 at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. Set to music from the classic Philadelphia International Records soul catalog, the work is a celebration of both place and culture, rooted in rhythm, resilience, sensuality, social consciousness, and communal joy.

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He is also bringing that tour to campus in a series of eight free concerts showcasing these brilliant compositions and his mastery of his craft.

All concerts are in Bezanson Recital Hall and start at 7:30 PM. All free to attend!

October 22nd: Sonata No. 1 in F minor for Piano, Op. 2, No. 1 (1795), Sonata No. 21 in C major for Piano, Op. 53, "Waldstein" (1803-04), Sonata No. 29 in B-flat major for Piano, Op. 106, "Hammerklavier" (1817-18)

October 29th: Sonata #4, Op. 7 "Grand Sonata", Sonata #8, Op. 13 "Pathetique" and Sonata #11 Op. 22.

November 19th: Sonata #25, Op. 79 "Cuckoo", Sonata #3, Op. 2, No. 3, Sonata #19, Op. 49, No. 1, Sonata #22, Op. 54, Sonata #31, No. 2 "The Tempest"

December 16th: #10 Op. 14 No. 2, #7 Op. 10 No. 3, #13 Op. 27 Quasi una fantasia, #14 Op. 27 No. 2 Moonlight

Spring Concerts (Repertoire to be Announced)

January 22February 26March 6March 22

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Advanced sign-up is required. Copies of each book are available FOR FREE at Amherst Books while supplies last (one book per participant). The Gentzler Translation Center will confirm participation as soon as a club meeting reaches the maximum number of participants. All books are available for purchase at Amherst Books.

Learn more and register

October 6, 6-8pm: We Computers (Yale University Press, 2025); Host: Ilse Meiler, Comparative Literature Program

November 10, 6-8pm: Transparent City (Biblioasis, 2018); Host: Emily Barber, Comparative Literature Program

December 1, 6-8pm: Amanat: Women's Writing from Kazakhstan (Gaudy Boy, 2022); Host: Assemay Almazbekkyzy, English Department

February 9, 2027, 6-8pm: Last Words from Montmartre (NYRB Classics, 2014); Host: Ruby Wang, English Department

March 2, 2027, 6-8pm: Happening (Seven Stories Press, 2019); Host: Clara Mundy, English Department

April 6, 2027, 6-8pm: When We Cease to Understand the World (NYRB, 2021); Host: Daniel Amaral, English Department

May 4, 2027, 6-8pm: Via Ápia (FSG Originals, 2025); Host: Dr. Grace Holleran, Spanish and Portuguese Studies Program

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*Craft nights are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

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He pursued formal study of music at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, the New England Conservatory of Music, and UCLA’s Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz (now the Herbie Hancock Institute), where he studied with Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Dianne Reeves. He started his professional career performing with Hancock, Christian Sands, and Nate Smith. Mayo released his debut album, Bones, in 2021, followed by Fly in 2024, the latter of which garnered a pair of Grammy nominations. Both records find Mayo plying a style of jazz that draws influence from soul, R&B, and gospel, bringing to the music a vocal command reminiscent of Al Jarreau, Bobby McFerrin, and Mel Tormé.

Before taking the Bowker Auditorium stage, Mayo will spend time working with students from UMass and local college and high school programs as this year’s Billy Taylor Jazz Artist in Residence.

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He is also bringing that tour to campus in a series of eight free concerts showcasing these brilliant compositions and his mastery of his craft.

All concerts are in Bezanson Recital Hall and start at 7:30 PM. All free to attend!

October 22nd: Sonata No. 1 in F minor for Piano, Op. 2, No. 1 (1795), Sonata No. 21 in C major for Piano, Op. 53, "Waldstein" (1803-04), Sonata No. 29 in B-flat major for Piano, Op. 106, "Hammerklavier" (1817-18)

October 29th: Sonata #4, Op. 7 "Grand Sonata", Sonata #8, Op. 13 "Pathetique" and Sonata #11 Op. 22.

November 19th: Sonata #25, Op. 79 "Cuckoo", Sonata #3, Op. 2, No. 3, Sonata #19, Op. 49, No. 1, Sonata #22, Op. 54, Sonata #31, No. 2 "The Tempest"

December 16th: #10 Op. 14 No. 2, #7 Op. 10 No. 3, #13 Op. 27 Quasi una fantasia, #14 Op. 27 No. 2 Moonlight

Spring Concerts (Repertoire to be Announced)

January 22February 26March 6March 22

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More than sixty years after the group’s founding, and nearly seven years after the passing of its original leader, Joseph Shabalala, Ladysmith Black Mambazo continues to represent the pinnacle of South African a cappella music. The group became a powerhouse soon after Shabalala brought it together to realize a vision of perfect vocal harmony that came to him in a dream. The group’s distinct style of isicathamiya singing — a choral form developed in Black South African communities before and during Apartheid — propelled them to fame at home almost immediately and on to international acclaim over the decades that followed.

They have performed for millions of people on stages around the world, won five Grammy Awards, and earned nineteen Grammy nominations. And they were enduring favorites of Nelson Mandela, who brought them with him to Oslo when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, invited them to perform at his presidential inauguration in 1994, and in 2003 designated them as South Africa’s cultural ambassadors to the world.

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Master Class

Sunday, March 14, 10 a.m.

Old Chapel

Virgile Barthe will conduct a master class with advanced guitar students. The class is open to observers. Enjoy the interaction between this superb musician and select classical guitar students.

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He is also bringing that tour to campus in a series of eight free concerts showcasing these brilliant compositions and his mastery of his craft.

All concerts are in Bezanson Recital Hall and start at 7:30 PM. All free to attend!

October 22nd: Sonata No. 1 in F minor for Piano, Op. 2, No. 1 (1795), Sonata No. 21 in C major for Piano, Op. 53, "Waldstein" (1803-04), Sonata No. 29 in B-flat major for Piano, Op. 106, "Hammerklavier" (1817-18)

October 29th: Sonata #4, Op. 7 "Grand Sonata", Sonata #8, Op. 13 "Pathetique" and Sonata #11 Op. 22.

November 19th: Sonata #25, Op. 79 "Cuckoo", Sonata #3, Op. 2, No. 3, Sonata #19, Op. 49, No. 1, Sonata #22, Op. 54, Sonata #31, No. 2 "The Tempest"

December 16th: #10 Op. 14 No. 2, #7 Op. 10 No. 3, #13 Op. 27 Quasi una fantasia, #14 Op. 27 No. 2 Moonlight

Spring Concerts (Repertoire to be Announced)

January 22February 26March 6March 22

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In Jwala (Rising Flame), a 2015 work revived and reimagined in 2026, Prakash is accompanied on stage by a live band. Through sound and movement, she explores fire as a symbol of loss, hope, life, and death. Per Prakash: “As destructive as it is vulnerable and illuminating, the flame embodies the contradictions and complexity of humanity. Fire has destroyed our homes and our lives in unimaginable ways, and yet, in every moment of hope or prayer, we light a candle. We rise and rest in movement around the sun. And prompting every moment forward in life is the flame that burns unseen within us.”

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Guitarist and composer Yasmin Williams makes roots music with an almost uncanny ability to evoke the feeling of wide-open spaces. Her pieces draw on deft fingerpicking, a compositional style that entreats the listener to experience every note, and sense of resonance best described as spiritual. Williams’s works conjure images of quiet country roads that wind over rolling hills and through verdant valleys. Her songs cut across the breadth of American folk forms, here exploring their African and European origins, there visiting birthplaces that stretch through Appalachia and southward to the Mississippi delta.

Williams, who hails from Woodbridge, Virginia grew up surrounded by music. She was drawn in particular to the work of such innovative guitarists as Chuck Brown and Jimi Hendrix. She began developing her fingerstyle acoustic guitar technique while studying music theory and composition at NYU, and went on to add kalimba, kora, harp-guitar, and banjo to her constellation of instruments. Williams third album, 2024’s I, presents a suite of songs performed with collaborators ranging from Allison de Groot and Aoife O’Donovan to Malick Koly and Immanuel Wilkins grouped into three sections that move from airy country folk to soaring, jazz-inflected experimentation. Take this opportunity to see her in the intimate setting of a world-famous folk club while you still can.

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Join us for a special Sunday matinee performance that will thrill and delight your whole family!

The Peking Acrobats have defined Chinese acrobatics for more than four decades. Through breathtaking physical skill and theatrical staging, the troupe’s performers bring centuries‑old Chinese acrobatic traditions to life. They execute daring maneuvers atop a precarious pagoda of chairs. They exhibit technical prowess in trick cycling, precision tumbling, juggling, somersaulting, and gymnastics. They push the limits of human ability, defying gravity with amazing displays of contortion, flexibility, and control.

The Peking Acrobats are part of a time-honored Chinese tradition, rooted in centuries of history and folk art. Tradition demands that each generation of acrobats add its own improvements and embellishments. The Peking Acrobats seek to uphold this rich and ancient folk art tradition, bringing it to new technical heights.

Family pack: 25% off of up to two adult tickets with the purchase of at least one youth ticket.

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Advanced sign-up is required. Copies of each book are available FOR FREE at Amherst Books while supplies last (one book per participant). The Gentzler Translation Center will confirm participation as soon as a club meeting reaches the maximum number of participants. All books are available for purchase at Amherst Books.

Learn more and register

October 6, 6-8pm: We Computers (Yale University Press, 2025); Host: Ilse Meiler, Comparative Literature Program

November 10, 6-8pm: Transparent City (Biblioasis, 2018); Host: Emily Barber, Comparative Literature Program

December 1, 6-8pm: Amanat: Women's Writing from Kazakhstan (Gaudy Boy, 2022); Host: Assemay Almazbekkyzy, English Department

February 9, 2027, 6-8pm: Last Words from Montmartre (NYRB Classics, 2014); Host: Ruby Wang, English Department

March 2, 2027, 6-8pm: Happening (Seven Stories Press, 2019); Host: Clara Mundy, English Department

April 6, 2027, 6-8pm: When We Cease to Understand the World (NYRB, 2021); Host: Daniel Amaral, English Department

May 4, 2027, 6-8pm: Via Ápia (FSG Originals, 2025); Host: Dr. Grace Holleran, Spanish and Portuguese Studies Program

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The Troy Lectures on the Humanities and Public Life are presented in honor of the late Frederick S. Troy, Emeritus Professor of English, honorary professor of the University and former trustee. They were established in 1983. Past speakers include Margaret Atwood, Judith Butler, J.M. Coetzee, Nadine Gordimer, Seamus Heaney, Orhan Pamuk, Salman Rushdie, Wole Soyinka, N.K. Jemisin, and Colson Whitehead.

Contact: Loni Edwards, loni@english.umass.edu, Assistant to the Chair, Department of English University of Massachusetts Amherst, 413-545-6568

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*Craft nights are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

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Bassist, composer, and bandleader Clarke was one of the founders, along with Corea, of the trailblazing jazz fusion band Return to Forever; the two worked together through the band’s 1972–1977 run and in later reunions until Corea’s death in 2021. Pianist, composer, and bandleader Hiromi began performing with Corea in 1996 at age seventeen, an ongoing collaboration that culminated in their critically acclaimed 2007 album Duet.

In 2009, after an introduction from Corea, Hiromi joined the Stanley Clarke Band, and together she and Clarke won a Grammy for the 2011 release The Stanley Clarke Band. All of that history is certain to come to the forefront on our stage as Clarke, Hiromi, and the brilliant members of PUBLIQuartet celebrate the life and legacy of the Massachusetts native and all-time jazz piano legend Corea.

Be sure to arrive early to take in performances by members of the UMass Department of Music and Dance’s elite Jazz Ensemble 1, as well as two bands selected from participants in the department’s annual High School Jazz Festival, who will have spent part of their day learning from Clarke and Hiromi.

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We will provide a mic, speaker, and seat. If you would like to participate, please arrive at 6:30 to sign up.

*Please keep performances appropriate for general audiences.

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Hailed by The Guardian as “a cellist of power and grace” who possesses “mature artistry and willingness to go to the brink,” three-time Grammy-nominated cellist Seth Parker Woods has established his reputation as a versatile artist and innovator across genres. Woods’s projects delve deep into our cultural fabric, reimagining traditional works and commissioning new ones to propel classical music into the future.

In this intimate solo cello recital, Woods will embrace the spirit of the UMass Department of Music and Dance’s beloved Bach Festival and Symposium, which brings exceptional musicians and scholars of international stature to campus to connect with students, alumni, and faculty, in examination and celebration of the works of Johann Sebastian Bach. The program for Woods’s performance will center on Bach compositions.

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Open to all!No cost to attend!

View the schedule and register.

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That’s right. We’re closing our incredible 2026-2027 with Broadway’s all-time most decorated performer!

Juilliard-trained soprano Audra McDonald, whom Time magazine called “the greatest living stage actor,” has won a record six Tony Awards — for her roles in Carousel, Master Class, Ragtime, A Raisin in the Sun, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, and Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill. She’s been nominated for a record eleven Tonys in total. She’s also won two Grammys and an Emmy. She was included in the Time 100 list of the world’s most influential people of 2015. And in 2016, she was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama.

In addition to her Emmy-winning turn as host of PBS’s Live From Lincoln Center, McDonald’s work on TV has included Emmy-nominated roles in Wit, A Raisin in the Sun, and Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill. She’s also been a member of the cast of such shows as Private Practice, The Good Wife, The Good Fight, and The Gilded Age. And she’s appeared in such films as Seven Servants, The Object of My Affection, Cradle Will Rock, It Runs in the Family, The Best Thief in the World, She Got Problems, Rampart, Ricki and the Flash, Beauty and the Beast, the movie-musical Hello Again, Down Low, and Respect.

On the Frederick C. Tillis Performance Hall stage, McDonald will sing us into the summer with a selection of beloved songs from the silver screen. We can’t wait to see you there!

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Advanced sign-up is required. Copies of each book are available FOR FREE at Amherst Books while supplies last (one book per participant). The Gentzler Translation Center will confirm participation as soon as a club meeting reaches the maximum number of participants. All books are available for purchase at Amherst Books.

Learn more and register

October 6, 6-8pm: We Computers (Yale University Press, 2025); Host: Ilse Meiler, Comparative Literature Program

November 10, 6-8pm: Transparent City (Biblioasis, 2018); Host: Emily Barber, Comparative Literature Program

December 1, 6-8pm: Amanat: Women's Writing from Kazakhstan (Gaudy Boy, 2022); Host: Assemay Almazbekkyzy, English Department

February 9, 2027, 6-8pm: Last Words from Montmartre (NYRB Classics, 2014); Host: Ruby Wang, English Department

March 2, 2027, 6-8pm: Happening (Seven Stories Press, 2019); Host: Clara Mundy, English Department

April 6, 2027, 6-8pm: When We Cease to Understand the World (NYRB, 2021); Host: Daniel Amaral, English Department

May 4, 2027, 6-8pm: Via Ápia (FSG Originals, 2025); Host: Dr. Grace Holleran, Spanish and Portuguese Studies Program

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Sponsored by the Office of Religious & Spiritual Life.

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